A prolific offender from Leigh has been sent to jail after committing a string of burglaries.

Reece Lucas, 30, of Arterial Road, was sentenced to three years in jail at BasildonCrown Court after he pleaded guilty to two burglaries within eight days.

Lucas broke into an address at Friars Avenue, Shenfield between midnight and 8am on Saturday 10 June where he and more suspects stole a grey coloured Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 and a champagne coloured Land Rover Sport.

Eight days later Essex police were called about a burglary in Church Road, Harold Wood, at around 2.35am.

The owner of the property in Harold Wood was woken up by a man in his house who left the house without taking anything.

Pc Paul Burnett, investigating officer of Brentwood CID, said: "Lucas actually committed these offences after being released from prison just weeks before after serving a three year sentence for burglary.

“Following some good partnership work with the Metropolitan Police Service, we were able to link Lucas to both burglaries and he is now serving yet another prison sentence."

Lucas' three year sentence includes six months for the burglaries and six month sentences for the thefts, which will run concurrently.

Pc Burnett added: “Both burglaries had similarities with windows forced open and climbed through and objects moved carefully to avoid them being knocked over, which could alert the occupants.

“Despite this effort to cover his tracks, Lucas carelessly left DNA at both scenes.
“In one burglary cars worth a five-figure sum of cash were stolen, those cars remain outstanding and we will continue to try and locate them."

Pc Burnett urges anyone with information to contact Brentwood CID on 101 quoting 42/81846/17 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.