Caught on camera: Jail for attempted burglars who rammed police car

Two brave homeowners who disturbed a pair of would-be burglars and snapped a picture of their getaway car have seen them jailed.

At around 4:30pm on October 16 the victims returned home to their property in Merstham and found two men wearing masks and hoods in their back garden trying to get inside.  They shouted at them to leave and told them they were calling the police.

As they confronted them, one of the men attempted to grab one of the victims before both men got into a car and drove off.

But they didn’t get far after the homeowners managed to grab a photo of their getaway vehicle crucially capturing its licence plate.  

Having called 999 and passed this information to police,  work immediately began to trace the vehicle and just 45 minutes later it was spotted by officers parked outside a Tesco Express in Epsom.

To stop it escaping, officers boxed it in with the two suspects still inside but the driver, later identified as Darmaine Johnson, tried to get away by reversing at speed and ramming into the police car.

Johnson and his passenger, Valentine Shonge, then got out and ran away in different directions but were both quickly caught and arrested by officers chasing them on foot.

Investigators were able to build a strong case against the pair using CCTV, doorbell, and dashcam footage as well as seizing their clothes, masks, and other items from the car.  

At Chichester Crown Court this week (Dec 2), Darmaine Johnson, 34 (DOB: 11/11/90), from Leeds, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal, dangerous driving and assault by beating and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.  

Valentine Shonge, 34 (DOB: 5/10/90) from London, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit a burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Both were also ordered to pay costs.

PC Ben Wright, from Surrey Police’s Eastern Proactive Investigation Team, said: “I can only imagine how terrifying it was to come home and find masked men at your house.  I have to commend the bravery of the two victims in this case whose quick thinking in grabbing a photo of the car gave us vital help to find them straight away. 

“Johnson and Shonge had no regard for anyone but themselves. Their attempt to escape arrest by ramming a police car endangered people and caused extensive damage. I’m glad we were able to arrest them so quickly and get them before the courts.”