Shropshire detective commended over nationwide burglary probe
A Shropshire detective who played a leading role in solving a series of burglaries at stately home across England in which property worth more than £1.5 million was stolen, has received two top commendations for his work.
Detective Constable Jamie Pender produced much of the evidence which resulted in two men receiving lengthy jail sentences.
The 18-month police investigation stretched from Cornwall to Cumbria, including a raid on a country home near Shrewsbury in 2009 where high value, irreplaceable antique china was stolen.
DC Pender, based at Monkmoor police station, has been awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation as well as a Certificate of Commendation by His Honour Judge Peter Hughes who heard the court case.
The commendations will be presented at an awards ceremony in Shrewsbury during April.
Detective Sergeant Chris Hughes, from Shropshire's burglary unit, said: "Following the burglary near Shrewsbury, DC Pender began an 18-month investigation which encompassed five police forces and involved stolen property worth over £1.5 million.
"He led the Shropshire investigation in a dedicated and relentless manner showing the highest level of professionalism and meticulous detective ability in putting it together and linking it with the other crimes.
"This included trawls of national computer sites, in-depth phone data research, the planning and preparing of arrests, prison productions, interviews and cross-border investigation strategy. He liaised and worked closely alongside officers from Sussex, Cumbria, Devon and Cornwall as well as with the Crown Prosecution Service and Prison Service."
As a result of DC Pender's work, two men appeared before Cumbria Crown Court in March last year charged with three burglaries at stately homes and a handling stolen goods offence. The main offender pleaded guilty and was jailed for nine years. The other defendant was convicted after trial and sentenced to three years for handling stolen goods from the burglaries.
DS Hughes added: "The largest weight of evidence was produced via DC Pender's investigation. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the judge commended him for his outstanding investigative work and all-round contribution in bringing the case to court."
In his certificate, Judge Hughes said: "The commendation was made because of the significant contribution made by the officer to the complex investigation of a series of carefully planned and targeted burglaries at country houses in different locations across the country and to bringing the burglars to justice."
