Swift 999 call helped police trap ‘smash-and-grab’ Solihull burglar
A smash-and-grab thief who used tools to bludgeon his way into at least nine homes has been jailed after police surrounded a home he was ransacking.
Prolific crook Christopher Burchell (pic left) shattered a rear window at a house on the afternoon of 17th February. However, the sound of breaking glass alerted a neighbour and their swift 999 call enabled response officers to circle the house whilst Burchell was still rummaging through its rooms.
He emerged minutes later with both hands held out in a handcuff gesture – and on being quizzed by detectives admitted using the same heavy-handed tactics to break into another eight properties predominantly in north Solihull.
The 43-year-old, of no fixed address, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (15thApril) where he was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to the Netherton burglary plus two more in Yorkminster Drive, Chelmsley Wood, and at the home of a pensioner in Brabazon Grove, Castle Vale.
He asked for six other break-ins – five in Chelmsley Wood and the other in Tile Cross – to be taken into consideration by the judge.
Detective Constable Craig Brewer from Solihull Police said local residents can take comfort from Burchell’s imprisonment. He said: “Burchell caused untold misery to many households in north Solihull with people coming home from work or shopping trips to windows or door panels smashed and evidence of untidy searches.
“None of the properties were occupied at the time – but we understand the emotional and psychological scars from a burglary can be long-standing. Four years is a significant sentence but we’re considering lodging an appeal to the court because we believe Burchell’s offending warrants a longer spell of detention.”
Burchell stole an array of items from the home of a 73-year-old man in Brabazon Grove on 9th October last year – having plunged a burglar alarm into a sink of water in a bid to silence it – and stole a lap-top and bank cards from Yorkminster Drive on 14th November.
He also admitted Chelmsley Wood burglaries in Crabtree Drive on 8th May, Lambeth Close on 15th October – where £600 cash and Euros were stolen – Glovers Croft on 21st December, Brook Farm Walk between 14th-27th December, and Holly Lodge Walk on 17th January this year.
And on 13th January he prised a UPVC panel out of a door in Shirestone Road, Tile Cross, before rummaging through the whole house looking for valuables.
DC Brewer praised the speed of the 999 call that helped trap Burchell. He added: “A neighbour heard smashing glass and immediately reported their suspicions to police; that quick call meant we could get officers to the scene in minutes and catch Burchell in the act.”
Read the full story here: http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?id=688.