Gang hacked string of BMWs
A ‘RUTHLESS’ gang stole top-ofthe-range BMWs using special equipment to hack the electronics and start engines, a court heard.
At least 12 vehicles, including expensive M performance vehicles, were taken or targeted during the spree.
Detectives suspect the cars were being stolen to order, possibly to be shipped abroad.
Michael Dicks, 24, from Pendlebury, in Salford, was among several men who took the cars from across the Ribble Valley, Preston, and Blackburn.
The thieves smashed the windows to get inside, then used electronic equipment to tamper with the diagnostics and start the engines. The gang’s spree was only ended when a member of the public tipped-off police that a group of men were acting suspiciously in the Metcalf Close area of Blackburn.
Officers were deployed and found damage to the window and inside of a BMW.
Dicks; Kasim Ali Ahmed, 29; and Haroon Qamar, 27, fled the scene in a Seat Leon which was stopped by police just off the M61 motorway.
A number of electronic devices, used specifically to steal BMWs were found in the Leon.
The trio were arrested and bailed, while officers began a major investigation into the group’s mobile phone use.
Further enquiries into CCTV were carried out, with officers identifying 12 BMW cars that the group had stolen or attempted to steal.
During the investigation, officers established Mohammed Irfan Mazhar, 24, was working with the gang and he was later arrested.
All four were charged with conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Ahmed, of Haslingden Old Road, Blackburn; Qamar, of The Pastures, Blackburn; and Mazhar, of Colenso Road, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to the offence and the case went to trial in December.
After three days of hearings Ahmed and Qamar changed their pleas to guilty, with Mazhar pleading guilty to participating in activities of an organised crime group.
Dicks, of Brattice Drive, Pendlebury, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing last year to conspiracy to steal.
At Preston Crown Court in April, Ahmed was jailed for four years and two months, Qamar was sentenced to two years and four months, Mazhar handed a 20 month sentence suspended for two years and Dicks was imprisoned for one year and five months.
A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing will now take place against the men.
PC Rick Hek, of Lancashire Police, said: “This gang was particularly ruthless in its activities, targeting BMW cars across the Lancashire area.
“Ahmed, Qamar, Mazhar and Dicks showed a blatant disregard for their victims, carrying out a number of vehicle thefts before a tip-off to police from a member of the public led to their arrests.
“We welcome the sentences handed down from court and hope it deters others who attempt to carry out such criminal activities.”