The gang’s criminal spree unfolded between June and August 2023, targeting homes and shops in areas including Epsom and Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, and Croydon, Chessington, New Malden, Raynes Park, and Surbiton.
Their crimes involved keyless car theft, violent assaults, and significant property damage.
The police investigation began after a distinctive Audi A8, one of only 15 in the country, was linked to a series of burglaries.
The car was spotted at a petrol station with a crooked number plate that didn’t match its genuine registration.
A second car, identified by a unique GB sticker, also drew attention and became key to the case.
Detectives embarked on a complex investigation, using tactics such as tracking vehicles through ANPR (automatic number plate recognition), analysing CCTV footage, and identifying cloned number plates.
Officers pieced together evidence, matching the suspects’ clothing and behaviour to footage.
A distinctive white carrier bag frequently used in shop burglaries became a crucial clue.
The gang targeted high-value vehicles, either by stealing keys during burglaries or using illegal devices for keyless entry.
They often moved stolen vehicles to secondary locations to check for tracking devices before fitting them with fake number plates.
Some cars were dismantled in “chop shops” with parts sold for profit.
Their crimes also extended to violent assaults.
During one burglary, three members of the gang—Harry Mackay, Rico Persechino, and Jason Connors—attacked a homeowner with weapons, leaving the victim traumatised.
On August 29 2023, police arrested Persechino and Harry Mackay outside a shop in East Grinstead.
Mackay attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended, and officers discovered a keyless car theft device he had discarded inside the shop.
Following a trial at Guildford Crown Court, five men were sentenced on December 9 2023:
- Harry Mackay, 34, from Epsom, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, conspiracy to burgle, and conspiracy to commit robbery. He received eight years.
- Frankie Mackay, 35, from Epsom, admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and was sentenced to 39 months.
- Stevey Mackay, 32, from Kingston-upon-Thames, pleaded guilty to stealing motor vehicles and received 39 months.
- Jason Connors, 29, from Croydon, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and was sentenced to five years and four months.
- Rico Persechino, 35, from Kingston-upon-Thames, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, conspiracy to burgle, and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to seven years and six months.
One victim of the group’s criminal activities said: “The burglary was very distressing for both my partner and myself, and we felt a significant impact after the unwelcome intrusion from these criminals.
“I was very angry and upset and when I met with detectives the following day, I was close to tears and that’s not in my nature.
“The thought of strangers going through your personal possessions, and the damage they caused to gain access to my property was scary.
“My partner lost family jewellery that had been passed down through generations.
“After the robbery I said I wanted to move, and I still might as this has had a long-term effect on me.
“I’m pleased to see the sentence this group were handed, and I was very impressed with the brilliant work of the police officers and detectives dealing with this case, they gave me faith throughout.”
Lead investigator, Detective Inspector Daniel Voller, shared: “This was a sophisticated and organised operation and exposing the full extent of their crimes was only possible thanks to the hard work and diligence of everyone involved, from detectives to intelligence teams.
“These thieves had no regard for anyone but themselves and escalated their offending from stealing cars outside homes to breaking inside and committing a serious assault.
“We have worked relentlessly over many months to prepare a strong case against them and I’m pleased our efforts have resulted in getting them behind bars.”
