Plaistow man named Fagan led gang of young thieves
A gang of young burglars led by a man named Fagan targeted homes where they could steal the ignition keys to high value cars that were parked on driveways.
The gang struck across London, Essex and Hertfordshire.
After sneaking into homes at night and often while the occupants were asleep, they would grab the keys and then drive off in the vehicles.
Makes included BMWs, a Mercedes and a Range Rover, worth nearly half a million pounds, St Albans Crown Court heard.
Police have located some of the vehicles but not all.
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The gang were at the lower end of a criminal network who would drop stolen cars off at secret locations to be picked up by others, the court heard.
Leading them was Omar Fagan, 20, who worked with brother Delroy, 19, both from Upper Road, Plaistow.
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Some of the gang were trapped by their own stupidity, the court heard.
Their frequent use of mobile phone calls to one another as well as incriminating text messages placed them in the vicinity of the break-ins at the relevant times.
Posing
Two even provided police with picture evidence, one having his picture on a phone clutching a �5,000 wad of money.
In court on Monday last week Omar admitted 23 offences of burglary and received five years and three months which also included a conviction at Snaresbrook Crown Court for conspiracy to burgle.
Delroy admitted 19 burglaries and was sentenced to four years.
Foot soldiers Robert Narty of Lathom Road, East Ham, admitted three night time burglaries when cars worth �63,000 were stolen – all of which were recovered by police. He got 30 months.
Jermain Jarrett, 20, of Romford, admitted eight counts of burglary and got two years while Darius Collins-Armond, 19, of Elm Park, Essex, received a 34 week sentence, suspended for 18 months, for three burglaries.
Martin Banning Junior, of Barking, admitted three burglaries and got 12 months, suspended for two years.
All sentences to be served in a young offenders institute.
Judge Michael Baker QC told the gang: “Each of you played a part in organising a criminal enterprise.”
