Burglar caught behind wheel of stolen car

A burglar’s crime spree in Peterborough came to an end when he was caught behind the wheel of a stolen car.

Luke Edwards, 37, and an accomplice tried car door handles in Oxclose, Bretton, before getting into an unlocked van on 14 January.

They were disturbed and briefly left the area empty-handed, but returned and broke into a Skoda Superb, stealing a small amount of cash, an air freshener and a bottle of aftershave.

On 12 February Edwards broke into a van that was parked near Peterborough Cathedral, stealing a bank card and a pair of designer trainers.

A short time later, the victim received notifications that his card had been used to make multiple transactions in the city centre.

The day before, Edwards had also used another stolen bank card and was captured on CCTV trying multiple car door handles in New England, a breach of a criminal behaviour order he had received at Cambridge Magistrates’ Cout in October.

On 18 February he also stole a bicycle from a shed in Langley, Bretton.

Finally, in the early hours of 1 March, Edwards went to a property in Enfield Gardens, in Netherton, where he stole keys for a grey Vauxhall Astra and drove the vehicle away.

Two hours later officers found the car parked in Russell Street, Millfield, with Edwards sitting in the driver’s seat.

He resisted officers, forcing them to use their incapacitant spray, and was arrested.

Edwards, of Essendyke, Bretton, Peterborough, admitted two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, two of fraud, two of burglary, interference with a motor vehicle and breaching a criminal behaviour order.

On Friday (29 May) at Cambridge Crown Court he was jailed for 52 months.

DC Hannah Worthington said: “Edwards was relentless, seemingly with little thought to the impact his crimes were having on other people.

“I’m pleased he was identified, admitted these offences and has now been jailed.”

For advice on preventing vehicle crime visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website.

Luke Edwards