TWO men have been jailed for a series of burglaries carried out at pubs and DIY businesses in Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Rubery, Rednal and Coventry.
David Hodges and Noel Lacey’s arrests and charges followed a painstaking investigation by South Worcestershire Police’s Proactive CID Unit which worked with West Midlands Police and West Mercia Police’s specialist traffic and intelligence officers.
Hodges, from Birmingham, was charged for burglaries at Travis Perkins, Bromsgrove, on July 21, Jewsons, Bromsgrove, on August 12, The Stag and Three Horseshoes, Halesowen, both on August 12, The Bulls Head, Oldbury on August 27, The Toby Jug, Rubery on September 24, The Phantom Coach Pub, Coventry, on September 28 and The Castle Pub, Droitwich on September 29.
Lacey, also from Birmingham, was charged with The Bulls Head, The Toby Jug, The Phantom Coach Pub, and The Castle burglaries. Both were charged with Taking a vehicle without consent and Hodges was also charged with other motoring offences.
Lacey received 32 months in prison and Hodges was handed four years.
Detectives worked long hours to secure the charges and convictions.
Det Insp Dave Knight of West Mercia Police said: “This series of burglaries in the Midlands area has brought heartache and serious disruption to a number of businesses.
“This has been exacerbated by the pressure these Businesses are already feeling at the minute due to Covid.
“I hope these charges reinforce how seriously we take these sorts of offences and serve as a message to those that would bring crime to the Worcestershire area.
“Don’t bother.”
