Range Rover thief caught after police identify distinctive tattoo

A ‘cheesy’ thief from Birmingham has been caught after police identified the distinctive tattoo on his hand. Reece Woodthorpe has now been jailed for his role in a series of thefts of high-end vehicles, including Range Rovers, in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Police believe the 24-year-old played a leading role in orchestrating and facilitating numerous car thefts. This included mainly targeting Range Rovers, which saw vehicles valued at more than £500,000 being taken.

His fate was sealed after officers discovered an image of him on a phone they seized, including a distinctive tattoo on his hand, captured while he was driving one of the stolen vehicles. During a search of his home in Wolverhampton, officers also recovered a key and electronic equipment used to access keyless vehicles from the side of a sofa.

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An expert analyst found at least eight Range Rovers were stolen using the device, while a phone seized by investigators also linked Woodthorpe to the criminal enterprise. After initially denying the charges, he later changed his plea and admitted conspiring with others between November 13, 2021 and May 19, 2022, to dishonestly engage in vehicle theft.

Woodthorpe, now of The Roundabout, Northfield, was jailed for four years and seven months at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday, May 16. In August last year, another member of the group, Oliver Cooper, who admitted conspiracy to burglary and conspiracy to deal in stolen goods, was jailed for six years and eight months.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Amy Miller, from the force’s Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a sophisticated operation which Woodthorpe played a key role in organising. He was vital in providing the equipment for others to steal. high value vehicles from their rightful owners but we were able to build a thorough and detailed case against him which has now put him behind bars and off our streets.

Tackling car crime is a priority for the police. But everyone can play a part in helping us beat car thieves. The most important thing, police say, is to keep your vehicle locked at all times and always check that it’s locked before you drive away from it. Police also advise using a steering lock when the vehicle is parked for long periods or overnight and keeping your keys in a faraday bag so the fob’s frequency cannot be captured by theft devices auto. For more tips on keeping your car and home secure: https://www.securedbydesign.com/

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