Crime gang which stole fundraiser money in burglary spree is jailed

Three members of an organised crime gang have been jailed following a series of burglaries in Warrington, Cadishead and Ellesmere Port.

Thomas Berry, aged 27, was joined at Chester Crown Court to be sentenced this morning, Tuesday, May 9, by 27-year-old Philip Berry and 34-year-old Adam Purcell.

The sentencing of a 17-year-old boy, from Frodsham, who has been convicted as part of the investigation, has been adjourned.

All four offenders had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, while Phillip Berry also admitted driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

The crime wave occurred between October and December 2022, with the gang predominantly targeting Asian families.

The gang’s downfall came thanks to an investigation by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at Cheshire Police.

The investigation began on October 25 following a burglary at an address on Westminster Road in Ellesmere Port.

Detectives recovered CCTV footage which showed the offenders gaining entry to the address through a window, before stealing cash from inside.

The gang then made off in a Ford vehicle, which was later found by officers abandoned nearby.

Enquiries revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from the Merseyside area, while officers also got a DNA match to Thomas Berry from a screwdriver found inside the car.

Following the discovery, detectives from SOCU conducted further enquiries into Thomas and his associates, which resulted in officers stopping a black Audi A3 owned by Phillip Berry on the M56 near junction to 12 for Runcorn on Wednesday 14 December.

Thomas, Phillip, Purcell and the 17-year-old boy were all arrested at the scene, and upon searching the car, officers discovered a quantity of cash, face coverings, gloves and mobile phones.

Thomas Berry, Philip Berry and Adam Purcell were jailed at Chester Crown Court

Further enquiries revealed that the items had been used in two burglaries in Warrington earlier that day.

One was committed at a residential address on Pasture Lane, and another of a takeaway restaurant on Padgate Lane, where the offenders stole cash.

Officers also linked the gang to a stolen BMW which was found abandoned in Warrington, having been reported stolen from the Rochdale area on December 12.

The same car was also used in a burglary in Cadishead the following day, where the gang stole cash which had been collected as part of fundraising for a local rugby club.

The trio were sentenced by judge Steven Everett to a total of 13 years in prison.

Phillip Berry, of College Fields in Wrexham, was jailed for four years and two months, while his twin brother Thomas, also of College Fields, was sentenced to four years and one month in prison.

Purcell, of Chester Road in Frodsham, was locked up for four years and nine months.

The sentencing passed by the court was praised by DCI Ian Murray, who leads the Serious and Organise Crime Unit at Cheshire Police.

He said: “I welcome the sentences that have been handed out today, and I hope that they provide reassurance to the victims and the wider community.

“The financial impact of burglary can be significant, but it is the emotional effect of being burgled which often lasts much longer and should never be underestimated.

“As a force, we understand this and we hope this conviction goes as a warning to criminals who are looking to come to Cheshire that in policing there are no borders.

“We work together to get criminals off our streets and behind bars where they belong.”