An organised crime group that used a keyless theft device to steal £2 million worth of cars over a span of four years has been brought to justice and sentenced for their crimes. The group, led by Alfie Brown, 31, of Aberdeen Road, Edmonton, and Andre Clarke, 33, of Beehive Road, Waltham Cross, employed sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles in a matter of seconds using a device known as the ‘Gameboy’. Their criminal activities spanned across several areas in North London, including Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and Newham between October 2018 and December 2022.
The investigation into this criminal operation began in January 2022 when law enforcement officers noticed a pattern of car thefts that were connected. With the help of specialists from the Metropolitan Police (Met) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), authorities were able to uncover the identities of those involved in the thefts. In February 2023, 20 warrants were executed, leading to the recovery of stolen cars as far away as Scotland and Wales.
Alfie Brown and Andre Clarke, the leaders of the operation, were responsible for orchestrating the thefts and later selling the stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. They even went as far as setting up fake businesses to appear as legitimate car dealers, providing forged documents to support their transactions. Brown and Clarke’s criminal activities took a tragic turn in May 2021 when they mistakenly stole a Volvo in the Chigwell area with a three-year-old child inside. The child was injured when the thieves abruptly stopped the car upon realizing the situation, ultimately abandoning the vehicle.
The group’s illegal activities extended beyond car theft, as they were also involved in money laundering schemes to conceal the proceeds of their crimes. David Burvill, 36, of Eastwood Rise, Leigh-on-Sea, and Mark Preece, 30, of Shakespeare Road, Romford, assisted in laundering £78,000 from the sale of the stolen cars. Clarke established a business account under the name ‘ACC Motors LTD’ to receive payments from victims and other individuals involved in the money laundering process.
One of the key tactics used by the group to evade detection was the cloning of number plates and vehicle log documents, effectively committing fraud against the DVLA. This deceptive practice made the sale of stolen vehicles appear legitimate, allowing the criminals to even sell the cars to dealerships without raising suspicion. Marcin Gorecki, 40, of Eleanor Way, Waltham Cross, who worked at British Car Auction, played a significant role as the network’s longest-serving money launderer.
The sentencing for the individuals involved in this criminal operation reflects the seriousness of their offenses and the impact on their victims. Alfie Brown received a sentence of 5 years and 6 months for conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle and conspiracy to acquire criminal property, while Andre Clarke was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months for similar charges. Marcin Gorecki received a suspended sentence of 2 years for conspiracy to acquire criminal property, while Mark Preece and David Burvill also received suspended sentences for their roles in the money laundering activities.
Detective Constable Dave Van Der Valk, who led the investigation, emphasized the hard work and dedication of law enforcement officers in dismantling this sophisticated criminal operation. He highlighted the dual impact of the crimes on both the victims of car theft and those who unknowingly purchased stolen vehicles. The investigation, which spanned two years, serves as a testament to the commitment of law enforcement in pursuing criminals who seek to profit from illicit activities.
Subheadings:
1. The Sophisticated Car Theft Operation
2. Money Laundering and Deceptive Practices
3. Sentencing and Law Enforcement Response
