Shropshire van dealer hit by burglaries hopes jailing gang will serve as a warning
A van dealer blighted by burglaries says the jailing of the latest gang to target his business should serve as a warning to other criminals.
John Lowe, 63, who owns Vanland at the Shell petrol station in Sutton Maddock, near Telford, said burglars chose his stock for their expensive exhaust systems.
More than 100 thefts from vehicles were reported in the county in the last financial year.
West Mercia Police said there were 61 reports of thefts from vehicles in Shropshire between April 1 2012 and April 24, 2013 with a further 43 incidents in Telford & Wrekin.
Mr Lowe has been burgled 50 times in 10 years and once had 14 catalytic converters stolen in one night. He said the precious metals they contain gives them a high scrap value.
He praised officers at West Mercia Police for their work to lock up the four men as well as recover his three vans worth a total of £16,645.
Danny Gill, 32, of Tipton, Dale Collins, 21, of Wednesbury, Andrew Parkes, 41, and Kyle Morris-Jones, 26, both of Bilston, were sentenced to 16 months in prison at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday.
They had admitted taking the vehicles in a night raid on Saturday, July 13 and had, on the morning of their sentencing, led police to recover two of the vehicles they had abandoned.
"We have been here for 12 years and we have averaged about four robberies a year," said Mr Lowe.
"But this last one was by far the most serious. It was quite a blow to us.
"This was the second time that the police have be successful in jailing some of the perpetrators.
"I hope it will serve as a message to other thieves they should leave motor dealerships alone.
"The police worked really hard to get this gang put away so others should think twice about it in future.
"We have got to send a message that they can't keep doing this. They will go to jail."
