Police welcome sentence given to burglary mastermind

Jerry Berry, aged 27, was part of an organised crime group mainly operating in North Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire but also committing crimes across the country, including Wolverhampton and Buckinghamshire.

He was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court today after admitting 10 specimen charges of conspiracy to burgle and dangerous driving.

The burglaries were carried out during a 46-day period in June and July last year when Berry and his gang targeted homes, stealing expensive cars, cash and jewellery.

He was arrested following a joint operation between West Mercia Police and Cheshire Police using specialist officers.

Detective Sergeant Andy Chatting, of West Mercia Police and Detective Sergeant Michael Ankers, of Cheshire Police, welcomed today’s sentence as an indication of how seriously the courts look upon organised and prolific criminality.

Shrewsbury-based DS Chatting said: “Berry masterminded the theft of high performance vehicles which were then used to commit further burglary offences after the number plates of legitimate vehicles were used to disguise the stolen cars.

“The value of the stolen cars and other property taken, ran into many hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“Berry, who was already serving a prison sentence for other offences but previously lived in the Wrexham area, recruited his relatives to carryout this crime spree and several of them have also been arrested and convicted during the police operation.”

DS Chatting added that the co-operation between both forces was crucial in tracing and arresting Berry and others involved. “If criminals are prepared to cross county borders then the two forces will unite again to convict those who cause so much misery to their victims.

“We are also grateful to all the victims and witnesses whose assistance enabled us to bring this case to court.”