How 'black sticker' caught 'career criminal' in the act
John Loveridge, 41, of no fixed abode, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday, February 12, after pleading guilty to one count of burglary and theft and four counts of handling stolen goods. He was jailed for four years and two months.
Between January to April 2023, Wiltshire Police received reports of a number of burglaries in which cars had been stolen in the Westbury area.
At around 5am on March 2, 2023, police received a report of a burglary at an address in Westbury with a Jaguar XF also being stolen from the driveway of the property.
The vehicle was located the same day in Warminster by an off-duty police officer, who spotted that the number plate had been altered through a black sticker.
Between March 31 and April 8, another burglary took place in Westbury, during which jewellery, jewellery boxes and cash was stolen.
Loveridge was arrested on April 4 in connection with the offences. He was searched and found in possession of a car key for a stolen Hyundai Tucson.
He was also found in possession of a sports bag containing two sets of false number plates, as well as the stolen items of jewellery, jewellery boxes and cash, plus other stolen items including watches, tools, gloves, clothes and a Range Rover key.
John Loveridge, 41, has been jailed. (Image: Wiltshire Police)
The Hyundai Tucson was located and searched by officers, and keys for a Peugeot Boxer Campervan which was identified as being stolen in January 2023 in Tetbury were found.
The campervan was then searched, with officers locating several significant items which were identified as stolen in burglaries across the southwest, including prized First World War medals, a pocket watch and other jewellery.
Following a complex investigation, Loveridge was subsequently charged with the offences and has now been put behind bars.
Investigating officer DC Dan Chaventre said: “Burglaries are horribly invasive, traumatic crimes which leave the victims often unable to feel safe in their own homes.
“Loveridge targeted multiple homes across the southwest, stealing their vehicles and then utilising false plates to try and cover his crimes.
“Through proactive enquiries, we were able to identify him as the offender for the offences which took place in Wiltshire and then link him to offences which had taken place elsewhere in the southwest.
“He is a career criminal and I’m pleased he has been jailed for his actions.”
