Three men sentenced for motorhome thefts

Three men have been sentenced following a spree of motorhome thefts, Surrey Police has said.

The force said an investigation started when a motorhome was stolen from Chobham, in Surrey, and taken into Sussex in May 2024.

John Doe, 46, of Gloster Road, Woking, Joseph Wickens, 42, of Downash Road, Hailsham, and Cornelius Buckley, 35, of Willow Way, Woking, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Investigating officer, PC Adam Grindlay, said thanks to the "quick work and dedication" of investigating officers, the men were identified and arrested within eight days of the first report.

They were sentenced on 20 March at Reading Crown Court.

Doe was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months and 30 rehabilitation days.

Wickens was handed a 16-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and 20 rehabilitation days.

Buckley was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Surrey Police said the first theft from Chobham took place on 22 May 2024.

A second motorhome was stolen from Hook, in Hampshire, on 28 May, when the owner got a tracking update that his vehicle had been moved to Woking.

Officers were able to recover the vehicle and return it to the owner.

Following ANPR and CCTV inquiries, officers identified that the grey Volkswagen Tiguan being used as the '"mission vehicle" was registered to Doe.

On 30 May, officers were alerted to it being in convoy with a fourth stolen motorhome.

Police said the vehicles were stopped and Doe, Wickens and Buckley were arrested.

Following their arrests, text conversations showed the group had researched and taken photos of one of the stolen motorhomes in the day prior to the theft, police said.

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