A car thief who disabled doorbell cameras by blocking people's Wi-Fi so he could break into people's homes and steal luxury cars has been jailed.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said Damon Keegan stole high-value vehicles worth nearly £350,000 over a 12-month period.
When he was arrested in November 2023, he was found with a radio frequency signal jammers used by criminals to block mobile phone and wireless network signals.
The 31-year-old, from Woodland View in Hyde, was jailed for six years and 11 months at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.
Keegan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, seven counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, eight counts of theft of a motor vehicle, one count of carrying burglary equipment, three counts of handling stolen goods and dangerous driving.
In August 2023, police launched an investigation into a number of burglaries targeting high-value cars in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire, and identified Keegan as a potential suspect.
A search of his garage revealed lock picking tools, blank car keys, a spy camera, a sledgehammer, a blowtorch, replacement shoes, clothes, an axe and several Apple Air Tag tracking devices.
GMP said he used a variety of methods to steal cars, "but each method was intrusive and made the victim feel uneasy in their own home."
In one crime in Knutsford in May 2023, Keegan was woken by an alarm in the early hours of the morning.
In his haste to leave, he left behind a radio frequency jammer identical to the one seized when Keegan was arrested.
'Destructive means' Forensic examination of the device also found Keegan's DNA.
Another incident took place in Lyme in October 2023, when Keegan stole a black BMW X5 from a driveway.
Keegan disconnected the wireless network so that the homeowner would not be notified by the doorbell camera before breaking into the house and stealing the keys.
GMP said that during the investigation, police found a garage near Keegan's home address that appeared to be used specifically for preparing burglary crimes.
He also committed burglaries during electronic curfews between 7pm and 7am BST on several occasions.
A police representative said: "He was extremely intrusive and destructive in his methods, often breaking into people's homes while they were sleeping, and when they woke up to find their cars gone and their homes damaged, they were unable to go to work or take their children to school.
"His crimes have caused great financial and emotional loss to our victims and I hope it shows that no matter what measures you take to cover up your crimes, we will investigate and ensure you are behind bars. "
[source:bbc]