Burglars stole tools and sold them on Facebook

A pair of burglars who stole tools from a Cambridge home and sold them on Facebook have been jailed.

CCTV captured Damian Webb and Samuel Ellis removing tools and equipment from a home under renovation in Mill Road on 11 June, 2022.

The owner of the home contacted police after he was alerted to the burglary by a neighbour who found the door had been left open.

The victim later notified police he had tracked down one of the tools, a Hilti battery and charger on Facebook Marketplace, which he bought back from Webb.

The burglary team arrested 56-year-old Webb at his home in Campkin Road and found a number of tools with the victims initials on, in his back garden and shed.

Ellis, 38, of James Street, was also arrested after the white Audi he was seen on CCTV loading the tools into, was traced back to him.

Officers also found a scrap metal receipt in Webb’s home in the name of Ellis for £193 for heavy copper, dry bright wire, household cable, batteries, lead, brass and aluminium. Checks revealed visits had been made to scarp dealers by Ellis on five occasions including two days after the burglary.

Webb was also captured on CCTV looking through windows and trying the door handles of a home in Victoria Road on 24 August, 2022.

At Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (6 August), Webb was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to burglary and attempted burglary.

Ellis was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to burglary.

PC Samantha Chapman, who investigated, said: “Webb is a prolific burglar who specifically targets renovation properties for tools and building materials.

“Burglary can have a devastating impact on victim, which is why tackling it is one of our priorities and we will continue to work hard every day to bring offenders like Webb and Ellis before the courts.”

For burglary prevention advice, visit the force’s dedicated web pages.