Magistrate directs sat nav thief to prison

Solihull residents are once again being reminded to ensure they lock their vehicles and remove all valuables after an opportunist thief was sentenced to six months behind bars.

Tom Millward was arrested shortly before 5.00am on Thursday 24th April as officers spotted him acting suspiciously near to Monastery Drive (B91).

The unemployed 28-year-old was stopped by officers curious as to why he was hanging around at such an early hour. And their suspicions were soon confirmed as a quick search revealed Millward was in possession of a sat nav.

Further investigation later revealed that the sat nav had in fact been stolen from a nearby unlocked car moments before his arrest.

The Aston man was subsequently charged with theft from a motor vehicle and on Friday 25th April he was handed a six month sentence at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Commenting on the sentence, Detective Constable Chris Burt, said: “Millward is an opportunist thief who clearly travelled to the area under the cover of darkness to profit from residents who had left their vehicles unlocked – unfortunately he found an easy target.

“Officers are unapologetic that we keep reminding motorists to lock their vehicles and remove all valuables. It may seem really simple advice to most but we know that not all residents follow this simple advice, and so do offenders like Millward!”

Officers are issuing the following security advice:

• Don’t leave keys in the ignition when the car is left unattended

• Lock your car when you leave it

• Don’t leave anything on display

• Take your sat nav with you when you leave the car and remove any marks left by sat nav suction pads

• If you have a garage – use it

• Never leave valuables in the glovebox

Visit: www.safermotors.co.uk for further car security tips.

Read the full story here: http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?id=772