26 replies to this topic

[Slinger]

No, I had to jog their memory last Friday. After I phoned them up I got a call half an hour later to say that they had finished with it. I went down with the intention of picking it up yesterday but the poor little motor was in a right state. No number plates, bonnet of its hinges, spot lamp covers gone, cowling round the ignition gone, my key fob would not disarm the imobiliser, I tried putting my key in the ignition but that just sort of turned with little resistence so I guess the steering lock is busted too. Let alone the body work, all covered in that silver dust stuff they use for fingerprints but I guess that will just need a clean. I didn't trust the recovery depot either, more like a dump for srap. Had to put it in the hands of the insurance company after that and suggested they get it out of there quick. How someone could tell me it was in good condition I don't know!. The insurance company want to inspect it themselves now.

Apparently it's the law. If the Police recover a stolen vehicle that they have found dumped, the legal owner is responsible for the recovery and storage charges except where it was part of a Police and Criminal Evidence case which mine was apparently but it still didn't stop the bloke with attitude down the recovery depot trying to charge me for the lot. I told the insurance company that too.

I'll keep you posted.

[Carlos W]

The powder may look a mess, but it'll clean off!

You're lucky to get it back, a few more days and it may have been broken and sold for spares, or it may have been rung

Edited by Carlos W, 09 February 2011 - 06:30 PM.

[Slinger]

Hope to get it back soon as insurance company have agreed the repairs. I had a phone call from CID last week, they found 13 other cars on the premises they raided and arrested 7 people one of whom they said was a "mini specialist" from Erith who is already known to them whose favourite trick has been to sell someone a mini and then steal it back. So not only am I going to get the car back but they also caught the bugger.

Edited by Slinger, 15 March 2011 - 09:17 PM.

[Carlos W]

Good result all in all I suppose!

Where did you buy it from?

[Slinger]

Now I've got it back and managed to give it a good clean and polish and it's not looking too bad. The only thing is there is bits missing off it. One of the clips from roof gutter trim has gone, a clip that holds one of the side repeaters has gone, spotlight covers nicked and the bezzel around the radio has gone and the boot doesn't lock any more and for some strange reason my Italian Job tax disc holder. Small problems I know and I'm really grateful that I have it back.

I'm getting a new chassis plate made up at Mini Sport but does anyone know the trim code for these late Rover Cooper sports?

Edited by Slinger, 27 April 2011 - 07:44 PM.

[Tahiti Joe]

Pretty worrying this is. My '93 Mini Tahiti is parked just up the road from you every day. Always thought it being in the school park would mean its reasonably safe and secure...

Edited by Tahiti Joe, 03 May 2011 - 09:22 AM.

[rhino-force]

used to be someone in dartford that continuously had these late mpi mini's that he was breaking.

[MigliaMayhem]

Pretty worrying this is. My '93 Mini Tahiti is parked just up the road from you every day. Always thought it being in the school park would mean its reasonably safe and secure...

I wouldn't worry too much, seems like the scum has been caught bang to rights. If this turns out to be correct and a member gets the details of said garage/specialist then ther should be no shame in naming them if convicted. We all have a duty of care to look out for fellow owners. (although I'm selling up I would still gladly let everyone know of such a scumbag).

[mhamps]

Sounds like they stole the Italian job tax disc holder to put on there own mini or why bother a bit worrying if a possible mini owner could have done it.

Matt

[Slinger]

4 people appeard at Maidstone Crown Court in April and found guilty of a number of charges relating to proceeds of crime. Prison sentences 4 years and 9 months, 4 years and 6 months, and 2 year supervision orders. Oh and there is an outstanding confiscation hearing.......Justice!

[Naughty 40]

Three men were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday, Thursday 21 June 2012, in connection with an organised criminal conspiracy to steal high value cars believed to be worth around £700,000, which Judge Carroll described as 'serious and sophisticated criminality for a high amount of profit'.

Sentences

33-year-old David Brown, formerly known as Steven Fiddimore of Bridge Road, Erith, was sentenced to a total of four years and six months for conspiracy to convert or transfer stolen motor vehicles and for facilitating the acquisition or possession of criminal property.

31-year-old Jonathon Fiddimore of Shearwater, Longfield, was sentenced to four years and nine months for conspiracy to convert or transfer stolen motor vehicles.

33-year-old Peter Gregory of St Mary’s Road, Swanley, was sentenced to a two year community supervision order for his role in this conspiracy to convert or transfer stolen motor vehicles.

27-month investigation by Serious and Organised Crime Unit

This sentencing was the culmination of a 27-month investigation by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate into a sophisticated and organised criminal group who had been stealing high value motor vehicles from domestic addresses and car parks across the South East, and then breaking the cars down for parts which they then sold online.

Officers first started investigating the gang back in late January 2010, following a fire at a farm in Farningham, Kent where a number of parts from stolen vehicles were found. These came from cars stolen during domestic burglaries across Kent, Essex, Surrey and London from December 2008 to January 2010.

Then between January 2010 and April 2010, four BMW M3s were stolen from railway station car parks across West Kent including Otford and Sevenoaks.

Hear from DC Helen King from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit.



Search warrants found numerous car parts

From November 2010 to May 2011, search warrants were executed at properties linked to the gang and a number of stolen parts were located included vehicle tracker units. Brown was an experienced vehicle mechanic who had the expertise to dismantle and disable vehicle electrical system and strip the cars for parts which were then sold online.

Financial investigators from the Serious Crime Directorate thoroughly reviewed the finances of the gang and believe that vehicles worth around £700,000 were stolen and that Brown made at least £60,000 by selling parts from these vehicles.

Guilty pleas

On 26 April 2012, David Brown (formerly Steven Fiddimore) and Peter Gregory pleaded guilty to all the charges brought against them. Jonathon Fiddimore pleaded not guilty and a trial commenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 20 April 2012. However, midway through the trial he changed his plea to guilty.

Highly organised criminal enterprise

Detective Constable Helen King from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: 'This was a very complex investigation into a highly organised and sophisticated criminal enterprise. The group operated across the South East and London, bringing misery to car owners who saw their vehicles stolen and then destroyed by the gang for profit. I am pleased the Judge has recognised the severity of their crimes and has given them significant custodial sentences.

'I hope this case sends a clear warning to other organised criminal groups, that if you commit crime in Kent and Essex we will catch you and bring you to justice.

'Officers will continue to recover any assets and cash from the group through subsequent Proceeds of Crime hearings so that these criminals do not profit from their crimes.'

[samperks]

glad to finally hear some good news come from a stolen mini topic. justice!