**Organised Theft Sees Stolen Van Used as Battering Ram in £60,000 Car Heist**
A brazen and meticulously planned theft at a car dealership in Porth has left the local business grappling with significant losses and costly repairs after criminals broke in, stole vehicle keys and diagnostic equipment, and made off with four cars valued at over £60,000.
The incident, which took place at Chequered Flag Car Sales on February 19 of last year, saw 47-year-old Jason Jones and his accomplices force their way into the office area of the premises. In all, the thieves managed to secure several sets of vehicle keys, high-value diagnostic tools, and later drove away four separate vehicles, leaving chaos in their wake.
During the sentencing at Newport Crown Court, the full extent of the operation’s planning was laid out by prosecutor Abigail Jackson. The court heard that Jones, opting for a direct route of escape, commandeered a Peugeot van and used it to smash through the site’s heavy security gate and fencing—a manoeuvre that left the dealership with an estimated repair bill of £24,000. CCTV footage captured the convoy of stolen vehicles fleeing the scene, a visual testament to the coordinated nature of the crime.
According to the prosecution, the gang had evidently targeted the business in advance, arming themselves with the intention not just to steal vehicles but also to return for further high-value assets such as specialist diagnostic equipment. This level of preparation, it was argued, underscored the seriousness of the offence.
It wasn’t long until Jones found himself in police custody. Later the same day, officers stopped a Ford in which he was a passenger. During the search that followed, police recovered one of the stolen diagnostic tools taken from the dealership’s garage. Despite being questioned by police, Jones remained silent throughout the interviews.
Jones, already no stranger to the legal system, ultimately pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, theft, and aggravated vehicle-taking. With 40 previous convictions encompassing similar offences—including vehicle theft, burglary, and handling stolen goods—Jones’s criminal history played a significant role during sentencing. Notably, he is currently serving an unrelated sentence of six years and nine months for aggravated burglary.
Defending Jones, Andrew Davies highlighted his client’s role as a father of five and grandfather of two, noting Jones’s claim to have “retired” from criminal activity. However, such mitigation was of limited persuasion to the court considering the gravity and calculated nature of the incident.
Delivering his verdict, Judge Simon Mills characterised the crimes as “serious commercial burglary”, drawing attention to the degree of coordination involved. “There was obvious planning and it has the appearance of a thoroughly well-organised offence,” remarked the judge as he sentenced Jones to an additional 32 months in custody.
Jones was further disqualified from driving for a year following his eventual release from prison, reflecting the severity with which the legal system treats offences where vehicles are used to perpetrate and escape from crime.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by automotive businesses, which can be targeted not only for their valuable stock but also for specialist equipment that enables modern vehicle theft. The court’s stern approach to sentencing underscores the ongoing efforts to deter such calculated criminal enterprises.
As local businesses in Porth and across Wales recover from such incidents, security remains at the forefront of concerns, reinforcing the need for vigilance and robust preventative measures against increasingly organised and bold criminal activity.