Five men have been jailed for their roles in a conspiracy that saw around 40 high-value vehicles stolen across Lancashire and Merseyside.
The group targeted cars, vans, and motorbikes over an 11-month period, using keyless theft techniques and relay devices to bypass vehicle security systems.
The offences took place between January and November last year, with vehicles stolen in Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Burscough, Wrightington, Liverpool, and Southport.
Lancashire Police said the stolen vehicles were often hidden in remote locations or had tracking devices removed in an attempt to avoid detection.
One vehicle, a Jaguar E-Pace stolen from Skelmersdale in June 2025, was spotted three days later displaying cloned registration plates.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the pursuit was abandoned after the driver travelled the wrong way around a roundabout, creating an unacceptable risk to the public.
Police later discovered messages on the phone of one of the defendants, Jason Miller, in which he boasted in a Snapchat group chat about being behind the wheel of the stolen Jaguar.
The force said messages recovered from the defendants' phones following their arrests played a key role in building the case and linking them to the conspiracy.
The five men appeared at Preston Crown Court on July 23 having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal.
James Miller, 23, of Langtree, Skelmersdale, was jailed for three years and eight months.
He also admitted supplying cannabis and ketamine.
James McKeown, 23, of Snowdrop Street, Liverpool, was jailed for three years and eight months.
He had also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and handling stolen goods.
Ryan McNair, 39, of Willow Hey, Skelmersdale, was jailed for three years and two months.
Read more
Thomas Fleming, 26, of Moorgate, Ormskirk, was jailed for two years and two months after also admitting supplying cannabis.
Jason Miller, 24, of Inglewhite, Skelmersdale, was jailed for 22 months.
He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
The investigation formed part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police's response to serious and organised crime.
A force spokesperson said: "Tackling serious and organised crime is a force priority.
"It affects everyone, ruining lives, driving other crime and instilling fear in our communities.
"Lancashire Police will relentlessly pursue those involved in organised crime, disrupting and dismantling their operations.
"We will ensure those involved in serious and organised crime do not benefit financially from their activities by attacking their finances, making it harder to move, hide and use the proceeds of crime."
Share