Truck theft gang is jailed
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A GANG OF truck thieves who stole more than £500,000 worth of vehicles have been jailed following a year-long investigation by Surrey Police. Leonard Coates from Streatham, South London was jailed for two years and Gary Green of Farnborough. Kent got 18 months after admitting conspiracy to handle stolen plant. Clinton Chapman of Epsom, Surrey was jailed for 15 months.
Surrey Crown Court heard how the trio committed a series of high-value plant and truck thefts. Following an investigation in February 2004 a search warrant was executed at The Paddock in Epsom, where trucks worth £150,000 were recovered.
Three months later officers intercepted a truck outside the Hatchingtan traveller's site near Woking following reports of several thefts of plant from a nearby Industrial estate in Guildford: this led to the recovery of £60,000 of stolen vehicles.
Finally, in September 2004 Coates and Chapman were arrested on the M3 while travelling in a stolen truck. They had been seen to leave The Searchlight Stables in Chobham. where £250,000 worth of stolen vehicles were recovered.
Green was arrested after it was discovered that he had arranged the storage at Searchlight.
DCI Simon Humphreys from Surrey police says: The sentences reflect our determination to bring these offenders to justice."