Latest news with #cartheft
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Sutton Coldfield man jailed over luxury car theft conspiracy
A man has been jailed for his role in a conspiracy which saw more than £650,000 worth of luxury cars stolen. Hugh Bradley, also known as Hughie Bradley or Hughie Das, bought relay kits from contacts in Poland that allowed him to start cars without their keys, West Midlands Police said. The cars would then be taken to different sites in Essex with the intention of sending them on to countries in Africa. Bradley, 31, from Sutton Coldfield, was jailed for eight years and nine months after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle and conspiracy to handle stolen goods. He had been linked to a number of relay thefts in the West Midlands and had also helped to steal cars from across the country, police of Langley Heath Drive, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 30 May, after being arrested and charged last November. Bradley was spotted on CCTV in Essex and caught when he used his own car, a VW Golf, to drive in convoy with some of the stolen cars, the West Midlands force said Bradley had filmed himself carrying out reconnaissance of houses where luxury SUVs were parked, while messages showed he had paid £25,000 for one of the relay kits he bought from used Snapchat to contact criminal associates and arrange onward sales of the cars, the force stolen cars were valued at £654,664, after an investigation was carried out with Essex Police and Hertfordshire was given a sentence of six years and nine months for one charge of conspiracy to handle stolen was also sentenced to six years in total for two charges of conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle, four years of which will be served concurrently. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Warning over Australia's 'most obscure' road rule attracting $2,000 fines
Australian drivers are expected to know the road rules in their jurisdiction, but every now and then, a lesser-known law catches people off guard. Almost everyone's been guilty of leaving their car unlocked for a quick dash into a shop or to grab a coffee — sometimes without even thinking about it. But in most parts of the country, leaving your car unsecured is actually a fineable offence. Speaking to Yahoo News, Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh branded the rule possibly the country's least known of all. "This is perhaps the most obscure road rule," he said. "Most drivers are completely unaware of it and are usually shocked when the police confront them and explain that they can be fined for leaving their windows and or doors unlocked." While being lesser known, this rule exists to reduce the risk of car theft and break-ins. Leaving a car secured means doors and windows are both properly locked, to ensure it's not an easy target for opportunistic thieves. It also helps protect public safety, as stolen vehicles are often used in further crimes or dangerous driving. In some cases, if an unlocked car is stolen and causes damage, the owner could be partially liable. Overall, the law encourages drivers to take basic precautions and reinforces personal responsibility for securing their property. There is an exception to the rule, Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, said. Drivers are allowed, in most cases, to leave a window open by up to two centimetres, which can offer minimal ventilation if, for example, a dog is inside. "The legislation provides a defence if you have a window rolled down less than two centimetres," he said. "If the window is rolled down any more than that, then you will be liable to be fined." He said he's personally heard of these cases being prosecuted in court. "We have seen instances of police issuing fines for this offence. Reasonable police officers will sometimes issue a warning first, however, we have had people elect to go to court to challenge the fines," Singh said. "The most common argument we see drivers making if they have been fined for leaving their windows or doors unlocked, is that the law is illogical and oppressive." In New South Wales, drivers must lock their vehicle and secure the windows if they will be more than three metres away from an unoccupied car. The fine is $114, but if the case goes to court, penalties can reach up to $2,200. Queensland law makes it illegal to leave your car unlocked if you are more than three metres away. The maximum penalty is $3,096, with a $2,669 fine if the car is unlocked with the keys inside. Victoria requires drivers to lock their vehicle and secure the windows when leaving it and moving more than three metres away. The on-the-spot fine is $117, with court penalties approaching $600. 🚘 New camera trial to target drivers breaching road rule in 'real-time' 🔋 Big shift on Aussie roads as electric car market hits 'major milestone' 🚦 Little-known traffic light hack to hit coveted 'green wave' In Western Australia, it's an offence to leave a vehicle unlocked unless someone aged 16 or over remains inside. The maximum penalty is $50. Tasmania requires drivers to lock their car and secure windows when leaving it and moving more than three metres away, with a maximum penalty of just under $200. In the Australian Capital Territory, drivers must lock and secure their vehicle if they will be more than three metres away, unless a person aged 16 or older remains inside. South Australia explicitly exempts drivers from the requirement to lock their doors when leaving the vehicle. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Teenager arrested after woman (70s) injured following Co Clare car robbery
A teenager has been arrested following the theft of a car from a residential premises in Firhill, Parteen, Co. Clare. The incident occurred at approximately 6:15pm on Friday. Advertisement During the course of this theft, a woman aged in her 70s suffered non-life threatening injuries. She was taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. A number of Garda units were dispatched and the vehicle was subsequently located in the Clonard area of Parteen where it had crashed into a ditch. A male juvenile teen was subsequently arrested and taken to a Garda Station in Limerick where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. He has been referred to the Youth Diversion Programme and a file will be prepared for the DPP. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R464 near Parteen Village and the Clonard area of Parteen are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Boys, 14, arrested for trying to steal Hyundais, St. Cloud police say
New charges in Feeding Our Future fraud, and more headlines New charges in Feeding Our Future fraud, and more headlines New charges in Feeding Our Future fraud, and more headlines Two teenage boys were arrested in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Sunday evening for trying to steal a Hyundai, police say. St. Cloud police say around 5:50 p.m., a caller reported that two boys were trying to break into cars in an apartment parking lot on the 1400 block of Washington Memorial Drive. When officers arrived, the two 14-year-old boys fled on foot, but were ultimately arrested. Officers found a Hyundai with a broken window and damage to its ignition system. The next morning, police also learned of another Hyundai with a broken window and damage to the steering column in the same parking lot. Police believe the same boys were responsible. The boys were taken to a juvenile detention facility on pending charges of attempted motor vehicle theft, felony damage to property and fleeing on foot. They could also face additional charges of tampering with a motor vehicle and felony property damage. Last week, St. Cloud police warned that a popular Kia and Hyundai theft trend, which hit the Twin Cities in 2023 and 2024 thanks to viral TikToks, had reached the city. They said there have been 30 car thefts or theft attempts "over the past several weeks." Police recommended Kia and Hyundai owners contact their manufacturers to fix security flaws and use a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Man charged after allegedly stealing car, fleeing from police in Summerside, P.E.I.
A 41-year-old Charlottetown, P.E.I., area man has been charged with stealing a car and gas, and fleeing police last week. Summerside police attempted to stop a speeding vehicle on May 21 around 3:40 p.m. in the Water Street East area. The vehicle fled from police and was driving dangerously, so police did not pursue it due to public safety concerns. A few minutes later, police received a report that the same car had been involved in a theft of gas from a Water Street gas station. Prince District RCMP were then called to the scene of a single vehicle crash in North Bedeque. The collision involved the same car. RCMP apprehended the 41-year-old driver near the scene of the collision. An ensuing investigation revealed the vehicle had been stolen from Water Street in Summerside. The driver will appear in court at a later date to answer to charges including theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation, flight from police and theft under $5,000. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
