A 22-year-old man from Crawley who repeatedly stole mopeds and motorbikes from people while they were at work has been jailed following a Sussex Police investigation.
Ronnie Beckett, of Hyndman Close, Crawley, carried out a series of thefts across Crawley, Gatwick, Horsham and Reigate in Surrey between 13 June and 3 November 2024.
Police say Beckett targeted motorcycles and mopeds with the intention of selling them for cash, leaving victims without vital transport to get to and from work.
Of the 11 offences investigated, all but two involved vehicles stolen from victims' workplaces.
Officers launched an extensive investigation, examining hours of CCTV footage, gathering witness statements and using police intelligence to link Beckett to the offences.
He was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with ten thefts and one attempted theft.
Beckett pleaded guilty to nine of the 11 charges, with the remaining two left on file.
At Lewes Crown Court on 24 September, he was handed sentences totalling six-and-a-half years. However, as the sentences will run concurrently, his total prison sentence is two years.
PC Michelle Robinson, from Gatwick CID, said: “We knew that Beckett had been a menace to the local community for quite some time; the difficulty was to prove it. Thanks to a team of dedicated officers, we were able to link him to several offences which he has now been convicted of in court.
“This result demonstrates our tenacity to target offenders and our commitment to seeking justice for victims. The vast majority of victims in this investigation had their vehicles stolen through no fault of their own, and they were severely impacted by their inability to travel to and from their place of employment.
“Thankfully, we were able to swiftly recover some of the stolen vehicles, however a lot of them required extensive repairs which of course is a further cost and hindrance to the owners.
“We know how vital this form of transport is to so many people in the local area, and I would encourage any victims of theft to continue to report it to us. We are here to help.”
Sussex Police say the case highlights the impact vehicle theft can have on people who rely on motorcycles and mopeds for everyday travel, particularly commuting to work.
The force is encouraging anyone who has a motorcycle, scooter or moped stolen to report the incident so officers can investigate and identify those responsible.
Read more on how to protect your moped, motorcycle or scooter here. (external link)
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