A CRIMINAL gang who embarked on a 'destructive and dangerous' million-pound crime spree targeting shops and cars across Bracknell and Wokingham have been jailed for more than 18 years.

The four thieves shot to notoriety when they raided the headquarters of Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes and stole the Formula 1 team's collection of trophies, worth £565,000, on December 6, 2014.

Danny Stevens, Paul Smith, Jason Eastwood and Luke Cole stole more than £1m worth of goods, including £300,000 cash from raiding ATM machines, and caused £350,000 worth of damage and destruction before they were caught by Surrey Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit. 

All four men pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit burglary and three admitted conspiracy to steal before being sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday. 

The gang racked up 39 crimes in just six months including 12 thefts of number plates, 10 thefts of vehicles, 13 burglaries and four other attempted thefts.

One of the earliest crimes involved the burglary at a Crowthorne clothing store on November 17, 2014.

The gang also ripped free nine cash machines by ram raiding buildings.

CCTV of some of the gang's crimes

A further four thefts saw the gang use combustible gas cannisters to blow open the ATMs.

The gang went on to steal six sets of number plates and two cars from addresses in Bracknell, Wokingham, Finchampstead, Arborfield and Shinfield in an effort to conceal their identity.

After ram raiding the Red Bull headquarters with a 4x4, the gang dumped 20 of the 60 stolen trophies in Sandhurst's Horseshoe Lake.

CCTV from the crimes showed Smith wearing distinctive clothing which he also wore on other offences.

Some of the clothing was found at his home after his arrest.

Cole was identified following CCTV at the Co-operative in Shinfield caught a tattoo on the upper forearm.

Stevens, Eastwood and Smith were arrested in the early hours of April 26 at Five Oaks Farm, in Shurlock Row.

Police found gas cylinders, fireworks, remote ignition devices and wiring which they had used to set off the explosion when attempting to blow open the ATMs at the address. Cole was later arrested on May 8.

Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Anderson, Head of Surrey Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "Operation Talorg commenced in December 2014 which followed a smash and grab offence at Mercedes Benz World in Weybridge.

"Most offences involved the theft of ATMs from banks, shops and petrol stations however, the gang also targeted the Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes where they stole unique trophies worth £565,000.

"We were able to link a series of offences which showed the organised crime group were responsible for a million pound crime spree and this was spread across a six month period across Surrey, Thames Valley and Hampshire.

"Throughout the series of offences there were a number that caused increased concern. This was due to the gang using combustible gas to attempt to blow open the ATMs, one of which was on a petrol station forecourt.

"We were able to link the gang to the offences due to them leaving a trail of clues during their destructive and dangerous crime spree.

"The gang did however attempt to evade capture by changing number plates and using these on stolen vehicles.

"The impact of these offences should not be underestimated. Not only was a large amount of cash and valuable items stolen but the damage caused had an impact on daily business at the attacked premises.

"These four men left a trail of destruction in their wake and thanks to the hard work of our officers they will be off the streets for years to come.

"The public can rest assured that we are committed to tackling organised crime as it can have a direct impact on other areas of offending.

"By taking career criminals such as these off the streets we can put a stop to countless more innocent people becoming victims of crime."

Detective Constable Matt Earl who led the investigation, said: "These men put others and themselves at risk in their chaotic and quite frankly dangerous attempts to access cash machines.

"They are incredibly fortunate not to have seriously injured members of the public who lived near to some of the cash machines, or next to a petrol station where they attempted to blow up one of the ATMs.

"They have showed absolutely no remorse and have now deservedly been brought to justice for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to family run businesses through their reckless actions.

"They have ultimately paid the price because of their greed."

Appearing at Guildford Crown Court the criminals were sentenced to more than 18 years behind bars on Friday, November 13.

Stevens, 38, of Hayden Place, Yateley, Hampshire was sentenced to seven years. 

Smith, 24, of Shurlock Road, Shurlock Row, was given a six-year sentence.

Eastwood, 41 of Willow Crescent, Farnborough, Hampshire was sentenced to three years and four months behind bars while Cole, 24, of Stockbridge Lane, Doncaster, South Yorkshire was given a two-year sentence.

Stevens admitted to both conspiracies but was not physically present at any offence before April 6.

Smith pleaded guilty on the basis that he was present at nine of the burglaries.

Eastwood stated he was not involved as a conspirator prior to March 2015 and admitted to being actively involved in the last four offences.

Cole, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle but not guilty to conspiracy to steal admitted to his involvement being limited to participation in the burglary at Co-op in Shinfield on March 24.

The offences, committed in later 2014 and early 2015, include:

  • November 17 -Burglary of Monica's clothing shop in High Street, Crowthorne.
  • November 20 – Theft of number plates from a Mercedes C220 in Chesterblade Lane, Bracknell.
  • December 5 – Theft of number plates from a Mitsubishi Pajero 4X4 in Arnett Avenue, Finchampstead.
  • December 5 – Theft of number plates from a Kia Sportage in Melrose Gardens, Arborfield.
  • December 5 – Theft of number plates from a Seat Leon in Melrose Gardens, Arborfield.
  • December 15 – Theft of number plates from a Volkswagen Polo in Seymour Aveune, Shinfield.
  • December 15 – Theft of number plates from a Ford Ranger in Kendal Avenue, Shinfield.
  • February 24 – Theft of Toyota Hilux from Pattern Ash Drive, Wokingham.
  • March 5 – Theft of Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 from Arnett Avenue, Finchampstead.
  • March 24 – Burglary at The Co-op, School Green, Shinfield, Wokingham. 
  • March 31 – Burglary of Duffy's Spar, Oakmede Place, Binfield, Bracknell. 
  • April 24 – Theft of number plates from a Ford Fiesta in Suffolk Combe, Warfield.
  • April 25 – Attempted theft of ATM at Nationwide, High Street, Crowthorne.
  • April 26 – Burglary at Tesco, Country Lane, Warfield, Bracknell.