Three men in their early twenties have recently been convicted of multiple attempted burglaries in Oxfordshire. Johnny Cash, Anthony Doran, and Michael Ward were found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglaries and theft of a Polaris Ranger.

In a Tuesday, February 13 hearing, Oxford Crown Court jury was informed that a series of properties across West Oxfordshire had been targeted for vehicle thefts four years ago. 

The prosecutor who opened the trial said the case “involves a number of burglaries and thefts of vehicles that occurred across Oxfordshire on April 25, 2019.”

“It’s the Crown Prosecution Service’s case that Johnny Cash, Anthony Doran, Michael Ward, and a third man called James Johnson conspired together with other men to burgle properties and steal vehicles in Oxfordshire,” the prosecutor said.

“The defendants were forensically aware. They hid their identities and wore gloves to avoid leaving DNA at the scene.”

It was also revealed that Johnson was not being tried alongside the other three men because he had already pleaded guilty to both charges.

Burglary spree

The first property targeted in the series of crimes in April 2019 was a four-bedroom home in Aston, Somerville. The owner discovered the external door to the utility room open around 6 a.m. and the cat flap removed upon waking at 6:30 a.m.

Later, at approximately 1:10 p.m., the next property was targeted. A five-bedroom home on Burford Road, Chipping Norton, was robbed, with a patio door smashed in.

Following this, a two-bedroom property in Chilton and a four-bedroom home in Brize Norton were also targeted. The owner of the Brize Norton house found it had been broken into upon returning home at 3:15 pm.

A three-bedroom home in Upper Crescent was also targeted, with evidence suggesting a screwdriver was used for entry. There were also marks on the door indicating it had been kicked.

Throughout the day, additional properties were targeted. Eyewitnesses reported seeing an Audi in these areas at the time of the incidents, later connected to the three defendants by the prosecution.

Ward was present in court, but Cash and Doran were absent. The jury has not been informed of the reasons for their absence but has been reassured they attended previous hearings.

The jury convicted all three men of one count each of attempted burglary and the sentencing is scheduled to occur at the same court on March 25. The trial continues, with Cash and Doran not providing evidence in person but instructing their barristers. 

Crime trends and solution

Toward the latter half of last year, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) reported a 48 percent surge in vehicle thefts. This totalled an estimated 106,000 incidents compared to 72,000 in the previous year.

The CSEW also estimated that there were around 1.5 million “neighbourhood crime” incidents in the year ending September 2023. Neighbourhood crime, as defined in the Home Office’s Beating Crime plan, includes robbery, theft from the person, domestic burglary, and vehicle-related theft. 

As such, residents in the UK must stay aware of the risks of these rising numbers. Investing in visible deterrents, such as steering wheel locks and alarms for cars, can deter thieves. Removing valuables from vehicles, parking in well-lit areas near surveillance cameras and keeping records of high-value items are additional preventive measures. 

To prevent house burglaries, stay informed about evolving theft techniques. Supporting law enforcement efforts through prompt reporting and cooperation is also crucial. Meanwhile, hiring the services of a professional security company like Marengo can provide added protection and peace of mind.