Car key burglars behind bars

Two burglars who forced open people’s front doors to steal car keys have had the door slammed shut on their freedom after being handed prison sentences.

On Monday 30 September Brendan Morgan, 21 (DOB 05/07/2003), from Sutton, and Archie Howlett, 21 (DOB 13/03/2003), from Dorking, were both sentenced for their part in a series of residential burglaries and vehicle thefts.

The pair had carried out an organised crime campaign between November 2023 and January 2024 targeting homes in areas including Merstham, Oxted and Caterham.

They would look for properties with high value vehicles outside, force open the front doors of these homes in the early hours, steal the owner’s car keys, and take their vehicles. 

In January, following some tenacious work by Surrey Police’s Proactive Investigation Team, they got their own early morning surprise when they were both arrested.

Morgan was sentenced to four years for seven residential burglaries, seven theft of motor vehicle offences, and possession of cannabis.

Howlett was sentenced to three years and nine months for six residential burglaries, seven theft of motor vehicle offences, and possession of cannabis.

They also admitted their role in a further eight burglaries and vehicle thefts which were taken into consideration by Chichester Crown Court.

PC Ben Wright, from Surrey Police, said: “I am extremely pleased that the hard work of the team was able to identify these two as being responsible for multiple offences in Surrey and South London. 

“People deserve to feel safe in their homes and burglars and thieves destroy this sense of safety purely for their own gain.  

“I hope they enjoyed seeing us first thing in the morning as little as their victims enjoyed a visit from them.”

The images above show Archie Howlett (L) and Brendan Morgan (R).