Burglars jailed for 23 years after targeting Harrogate district homes

A gang of four professional criminals have been jailed or a total of 23 years after travelling to Harrogate to break into two houses in 2019.

York Crown Court heard how the four Bradford men armed themselves with balaclavas, gloves and screwdrivers on May 10, 2019 before travelling to Harrogate.

Prosecutor Chloe Hudson told the court how Jordan Faulding 23, used a stolen car to drive Brandon Gaughan, Omar Khalid Powell, both 22, and 24-year-old Andrew Joseph Maguire.

The group broke into a house on Halton Gill Grove in Harrogate before targeting a second home in Ilton, near Masham.

Over £12,000 of jewellery was taken from the cottage in Ilton. The gang opened every drawer and cupboard and removed mattresses in search for valuables.

The Harrogate homeowner told police that his elderly mother came home to found their home in chaos. Hundreds of pounds in cash was taken along with a diamond necklace and Louis Vuitton bag.

The gang were caught after an off duty police officer reported a VW Golf driving erratically on the Ripon Road.

Another officer spotted the car on the A61 in Harrogate just after 3pm that day. The gang was finally stopped when police punctured the car’s tyres with a stinger forcing it to crash into a field near Otley.

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At court on Friday, Maguire, the eldest, pleaded guilty to the two burglaries. He received two years and ten months

Gaughan, the driver, pleaded guilty to the two burglaries and also to aggravated vehicle theft. He was on parole at the time of the burglary for a previous burglary carried out with Powell.

He was jailed for five years nine months and banned from driving for 5 years 10 months

Powell is currently serving a two year sentence for handling a stolen car last autumn. He was jailed for four years and four months.

Judge Sean Morris told three of the gang:

“You travelled from Bradford in a stolen vehicle with false [number] plates on and you drove from West Riding to the North Riding because you knew police are spread far and wide and thinly in one of the largest police areas in the country.

You targeted prosperous houses for jewellery and other valuables.”

The fourth member of the gang, Jordan Faulding was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court and was handed a ten year and six month sentence.

Police warning after increase in burglaries in Harrogate

Police have issued a warning after an increase in burglaries in the Harrogate district.

Officers said there had been an rise in burglaries in the Pannal, Rossett and the Stray areas.

The force said people should ensure their windows, doors and cars were locked and to report any suspicious activity to police.

A warning has also been issued to residents in the Duchy Road area after thieves stole property from cars. Police said vehicles had been left “insecure” and urged people not to leave items on display.

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A post on North Yorkshire Police’s Facebook said:

“Last night a number of insecure vehicles were entered in the Duchy Road area of Harrogate and property was stolen. 

“This is reminder to motorists to ensure that your cars/vans are locked, even if parked on your driveway and ensure that no items of value are left on display.”

Police added:

“There has been an increase of burglaries in Pannal, Rossett and the Stray areas of Harrogate.

“Please ensure that you lock your doors, windows and cars. If you witness any suspicious activity, please contact the police immediately.”

£3,000 worth of tools stolen from Harrogate garage

Police are appealing for witnesses after £3,000 worth of tools were stolen from a garage in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police said the garage, on St Catherine’s Road in Harrogate, was burgled on February 3 between 10am and 7.30pm.

Power tools and garden equipment were among the items taken.

North Yorkshire Police is asking anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour or unusual vehicle movements on the street that day to get in touch.

Officers are also appealing for anyone with private CCTV to come forward.

You can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Chloe Kinnear. Or email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210052754.

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Man sought after bank card and cash taken in Knaresborough burglary

Police are trying to identify a man from CCTV images after a bank card and cash were stolen in a burglary at a Knaresborough home.

The incident took place on Aspin Park Lane on Tuesday, January 26, between 2pm and 3pm.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information to help identify the man in the CCTV image as officers believe he might have information which could assist the investigation.”

Police are trying to trace this man from CCTV images

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Geeta Maharjan, or email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210045217.

Appeal after burglar targets home in Knaresborough

Police are appealing for information after a burglary in Knaresborough on Saturday evening.

A suspect tried to enter a home on Manor Road around 7pm.

North Yorkshire Police is now asking for help from the public to establish the full details. A spokesperson said:

“In particular, we are appealing for information about a male who was wearing all black clothing with a hood around Manor Road at the time of the offence.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Geeta Maharjan, or email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200221213.

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Two arrests after vehicle keys stolen in Harrogate

Two men were arrested after vehicle keys were stolen from a home in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened between 2am and 2.30am on Saturday morning.

The suspects are believed to have entered the home between Ripon Road and Coppice Street and taken the keys.

The police have released the two men but are appealing for witnesses to “establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident”.

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Anyone with information about the incident should call 101, select option two and ask for PC 855.

For those who wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200220750.

Citroen car stolen in spate of Harrogate burglaries

Thieves stole a Citroen car from a driveway and took cash during a spate of burglaries in Harrogate last weekend.

Homes on King Edward’s Drive, Verity Walk and Fulwith Drive were targeted.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information on the three incidents, which happened between Friday and Sunday.

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Officers said it was unclear if the three burglaries were connected but have urged residents to be vigilant of any suspicious activity.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“The first occurred on King Edward’s Drive at some point between 6-8 November and involved car keys being taken from the house and a Citroen car taken from the drive, which was later recovered from Minskip. Ref: 12200196833

“A second burglary occurred at Verity Walk either in the evening of Saturday or early hours of Sunday when offenders attempted to gain access to a property but were unsuccessful. Ref: 12200196761

“A property on Fulwith Drive was targeted between 5–8pm on Sunday when suspects entered the home through a broken window and stole a safe containing a number of items and cash.  Ref: 12200196948

“At this stage it is unclear if these burglaries are connected but North Yorkshire Police advises Harrogate residents to be vigilant for any suspicious activity, strange vehicles in the area and individuals who seem out of place. If you have any information, CCTV or witnessed any of these incidents please call 101  and quote the relevant reference number above or email: Elizabeth.Estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk“

District’s house building sites hotspots for burglaries

North Yorkshire Police is urging for vigilance following an increase in burglaries on new home development sites across the district.

During the past 24 hours, two incidents have been reported. One at a new site one in Langthorpe, near Boroughbridge, and the second in Penny Pot Gardens in Harrogate.

Boilers are the main item to be stolen. The perpetrators are cutting the gas and water pipes before removing the boilers, meaning some of the homes are left flooded.

Other targeted locations in the district include Knaresborough and Ripon. Furnishings valued at £70,000 were stolen from two show houses at a site in Knaresborough. In Ripon, a dumper truck was stolen from a site in the nearby village of Markington.

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The police are asking local residents to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity.

It has also asked if any CCTV overlooking any of the targeted sites is checked for activity such as large vans driving around the sites.

Information can be reported using the 101 number, dial 1 and pass the information onto the Force Control Room.

Emergency services training vehicle stolen from Whixley

Burglars stole an emergency services training vehicle from Whixley in the early hours of Sunday.

After breaking into a home at 2.40am, they took two sets of keys for the marked Volvo, registration E4 RFT, along with a Brietling watch.

The vehicle was later discovered in Knaresborough. Police are appealing for information about the burglary.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and asking anyone who saw anything in the area at the time or saw he vehicle being driven in the early hours on Sunday, August 16 to get in touch. In particular, we are appealing for information about the stolen Brietling watch.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Estensen, or email elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively, report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200141951.

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Harrogate high speed police chase ends in crash and arrest

A high speed police chase in Harrogate last night ended in a crash and the arrest of a 19-year-old suspected burglar.

Earlier in the night, at around 2.45am, burglars entered a house on St Helen’s Road before fleeing in a Mercedes parked on the driveway.

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Just 15 minutes later North Yorkshire Police took a second report of a ‘two in one’ burglary on St Clement’s Road where another Mercedes was reported stolen.

The police started to chase the car which drove off at speed along Hookstone Chase and Forest Moor Road, causing damage to parked cars. It crashed on Thistle Hill in Knaresborough.

@NYPDogSection and @HarrogatePolice assist in area search. We continue patrol and find Male suspected to be involved. #arrested sus burglary and other offences. #OperationalSupport @teamnyp 2/2 pic.twitter.com/65QqOl486Y

— NYP Operational Support Unit (@NYPRoadCrime) August 10, 2020

Shortly after, the police arrested a 19-year-old man from the Harrogate area and took him into custody where he remains for questioning.

North Yorkshire Police has asked anyone with information or footage from last night to call them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Use North Yorkshire Police reference numbers 12200137651 for the St Helen’s Road burglary and 12200137663 for the St Clement’s Road burglary,