A gang of burglars flew from South America to target luxury homes in Alderley Edge and Wilmslow. But they were caught after an astonishing 120 mph chase by police during which their getaway car braked hard to stop in the fast lane.
After arriving in the country in late 2022, they set up a base in the south of England with the with the sole aim of committing burglaries at high-value homes across the UK.
But their downfall came when they chose to break into homes in Cheshire. It triggered a series of events which ended in a hair-raising dash across a motorway on foot by the gang in a vain attempt to escape.
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On Friday March 31st this year the men broke into a house on Broad Walk, Wilmslow, at 8.20pm by smashing the patio doors. They searched the property and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, but made off with just £60.
At 7.40pm the next day, Saturday April 1st, they struck at a house in West Bank in Alderley Edge. But the gang were disturbed by an occupier after entering via an insecure door and made off from the scene empty handed. The incident was immediately reported to police and officers went immediately to the scene.
Following local enquiries, officers spoke to staff at Cheshire East council who found CCTV footage of the offenders getting into car nearby. Enquiries revealed that the vehicle was a hire car from Bracknell, Berkshire, so the car was added to the national police database to alert forces across the UK.
At around 1pm the next day the vehicle was spotted by officers from Thames Valley Police travelling on the M40. Officers attempted to stop the car, however, the driver made off and hit speeds of up to 120mph, as the group attempted to flee.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop after the driver slammed on the brakes in the fast lane of the M40. Five occupants then fled the car on foot, running across the opposite carriageway and into the path of oncoming vehicles. The dramatic arrest was caught on camera.
Following a search, three of the gang were arrested and transferred back to Cheshire where there were charged in connection with the burglaries. In the gang's car were balaclavas, tools and jewellery. Footwear was also found in the car which linked the men to the burglary at Broad Walk.
On Friday (June 16th) Victor Munoz, 31, Sergio Sepulveda Castro, 27, and Hector Paredes-Munoz, 29, all appeared at Chester Crown Court to be sentenced. All three men had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. Munoz also admitted one count of dangerous driving. Munoz was jailed for three years, Castro was jailed for 48 months, and Paredes-Munoz was jailed for three years.
After sentencing PC Kieran Marsh, officer in charge of the case, said: “Munoz, Castro and Paredes-Munoz were all members of an organised crime gang who came to the UK with the sole purpose of committing crime.
“Their crimes were carefully planned, specifically targeting high-value addresses with the aim of stealing as many valuable items as possible before fleeing the area, leaving the country and evading justice.
“While in these two cases the gang only managed a nominal amount if money, the impact of their crime spree should not be underestimated. To know that somebody has targeted your home – a place you should feel safe in, is sickening. The thought of your home being broken into, your property being rifled through and personal possessions being stolen can be traumatic.
“Thankfully, in this case, thanks to the diligence of staff at the Cheshire East CCTV unit and the work by the team of dedicated officers here at Eastern CID, the trio were swiftly located and arrested and all three men are now behind bars facing the consequences of their actions. I hope that this outcome provides some comfort and reassurance to the victims following their ordeal.”
Detective Sgt Stephen Joyce, of Macclesfield CID, said: “This case demonstrates the value of responding to all reports of burglary. By attending the scene, we we’re swiftly able to identify the vehicle that the offenders were travelling in, which ultimately led to their arrest.
“Here in Cheshire we have one of the highest charge rates for burglary in England and Wales and our officers are committed to doing all they can to identify offenders and stop them in their tracks. I hope that this case acts as a warning to anyone who is planning on travelling to Cheshire to commit crimes. Our message to them is clear, don’t make a wasted journey.”
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