THE Met Police are celebrating a minor win over the ever-growing motorcycle theft pandemic after two London-based motorcycle thieves were caught and jailed.
The pair, Alfie Bruynel, and David Curtis, both 20 carried out a spree of thefts across the greater London area in 2020 and 2019.
Bruynel was sentenced to a total of two years in prison and was handed down an 18-month driving disqualification, while Curtis was given 12 months. Curtis was also in breach of a suspended sentence that added a further three months to his sentence.
Bruynel pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 7 August 2020 to aggravated vehicle taking, no insurance, disqualified driving, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, and possession of a Class B drug (cannabis). Curtis pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 7 August 2020 to three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a pedal cycle, going equipped, and handling stolen goods.
The pair become a target for the Met after being spotted on CCTV in March 2020. From there, the police backtracked to see if they could spot the pair in similar circumstances carrying out similar crimes.
The plan worked, as both were then connected to the theft of a number of high-value motorcycles that included a BMW R 1200 GS worth £14,000, a Ducati worth £8,000, and a Yamaha TMAX valued at £10,000.
PC Kate Dennell, the investigating officer from the Venice Investigation Team, said:
“This is an excellent result that puts two criminals behind bars. Both have committed multiple crimes over a period of months and this kind of behaviour has no place on our streets.
“The effects of becoming a victim of theft often last far beyond the replacement of the stolen items. I hope both of these men use this time to realise the impact that their crimes have on the people of London.”
