Benjamin Brazil and accomplice Matthew White stuffed watched and jewellery into a pillowcase during the rampage
A ram-raider from West Drayton who reversed a Mini Cooper into a jewellery store has been jailed. Benjamin Brazil, 38, and accomplice Matthew White, 30, of Addlestone, nicked the motor on January 29, after climbing into the backseat and demanding the female driver and passenger get out.
Several hours later, witnesses watched in shock as the pair repeatedly smashed into the window of Brooklands Jewellers in West Byfleet, Surrey. One of the men then jumped out the rear passenger seat and stole watches and jewellery from behind the broken glass.
He quickly piled the accessories into the back of the car, with the career criminals speeding off within a matter of minutes. Following a short police pursuit through New Haw, the men abandoned the Mini and fled on foot.
They were soon found hiding in a nearby shed and removed by armed officers. Their haul, stuffed inside a pillowcase, was discovered concealed in a bush in the surrounding woodland.
Both were arrested and charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. White was also charged with dangerous driving, and Brazil was additionally charged with driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance or a licence, and vehicle interference.
The crooks will now spend more than a combined eight years in prison for their crimes. White was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.
He will also be disqualified from driving for three years on his release. Brazil was handed four years and two months in prison. He will also be disqualified from driving for 18 months on his release.
Investigating officer DC Kerry Plumb, of Surrey Police, said, “White and Brazil are career criminals who acted with no regard for property that was not their own, stealing whatever they wanted, wreaking havoc along the way, and not stopping to think about the consequences of their actions. Fortunately, they now have plenty of time to reflect on this in prison.
“Officers with a variety of skills from across the force – ranging from dog handlers to investigations to traffic to armed response and uniformed response and neighbourhood officers – played a vital role in pulling this case together. Bringing these criminals to justice would not have been possible without this teamwork.
“I am also thankful for the many members of the public who came forward as witnesses. Their evidence helped us place White and Brazil – and the car they stole – at the scene of the ram raid in West Byfleet and was crucial in helping land them behind bars.”
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