Two jailed for multiple car thefts across six counties

Two men have been jailed for their roles in a series of high-value dwelling burglary and vehicle thefts committed across six counties, including Suffolk.

The full extent of the pair's offending was uncovered by the Norfolk Operation Converter team, which was initially tasked with investigating five dwelling burglary offences in Woodbridge, Suffolk that took place between 29 and 30 January 2026. These were in Hasketon Road, Theatre Street (x2), Market Hill and Burkitt Road

Callum Lackenby, 18, of Seaforth Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Monday 3 August after admitting four offences connected to the theft of a BMW after a dwelling burglary in Billericay in February. He also admitted a further 27 offences linked to dwelling burglaries and vehicle thefts. He received a sentence of three years.

His associate, Caner Yakut, 18, of Havengore, Basildon, was sentenced to 54 months' imprisonment at Basingstoke Crown Court on Friday 20 July.

As inquiries progressed, officers identified Lackenby and Yakut as working together as part of an organised crime group. Investigators then followed evidence and intelligence across force boundaries, linking the pair to offences in Surrey, Thames Valley, Sussex, Suffolk, Essex, and Hampshire.

The offenders targeted a range of high-value vehicles, including Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Mini Countryman, Seat Ibiza and Renault Captur models. Offences were committed in locations including Woodbridge, Oxford, East Grinstead, Southend-on-Sea, Epping, Basingstoke, and Banbury.

Their method involved breaking into homes, stealing vehicle keys and driving the cars away - often at night while the occupants were at home asleep.

Yakut admitted a string of offences, including robbery, dwelling burglary, handling stolen goods, theft, driving without insurance, possession of cannabis and failing to stop for police.

While on remand, he was investigated further and linked to 24 dwelling burglary and vehicle thefts committed across county boundaries. These offences, including 19 identified by the Converter team, were taken into consideration by the court at sentencing.

Further investigation led to Lackenby admitting an additional 27 offences connected to dwelling burglary and vehicle thefts, 18 of them via the Converter team. His charged offences were burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Staff Supervisor Duncan Etchells, of the Operation Converter team, said: "By coordinating intelligence, evidence, and enquiries across county boundaries, the team secured admissions and ensured offences were taken into consideration, providing a more complete outcome for victims and preventing duplication of investigations.

"Criminals do not respect boundaries, and effective policing should strive to overcome them wherever possible. Our message is clear: organised crime groups and offenders who operate across multiple force areas can and will be investigated.

“This investigation highlights the value of cross-border collaboration in tackling organised vehicle crime and ensuring offenders are held accountable for the full extent of their criminality.”

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