Houghton Regis trio jailed over string of burglaries while accomplice remains at large

Tyler-Ogden Hooper, 20, George Wadsworth, 19, and 20-year-old Reece Wheeler received their comeuppance at Luton Crown Court on Thursday, May 21, after an earlier trial at St Albans Court in January.

Between April and July 2019, a total of 19 burglaries were committed in Hemel Hempstead, Harpenden, Caddington, Winslow, Leighton Buzzard and Chesham and the gang would often commit several offences in the same night.

In most cases, the group forced their way into homes during the night to steal car keys and other small items, before making off with the vehicle.

The estimated total value of the property stolen lies in the region of £125,000.

> Tyler Ogden-Hooper, currently of HMP Bedford, was sentenced to a total of four years and two months for conspiracy to burgle and steal vehicles. He was also sentenced to 9 months concurrently for dangerous driving to which he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. Ogden-Hooper was also banned from driving for 40 months (three years and four months) and will have to take the extended driving test.

> George Wadsworth, aged 19, from Hillborough Crescent, Houghton Regis, was jailed for three years and six months for conspiracy to burgle and steal vehicles.

> Reece Wheeler, aged 20, currently of HMP Bedford, was jailed for four years and two months for conspiracy to burgle and steal vehicles.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Specialist Investigation Team, took on the investigation after a pattern of burglaries began to emerge.

Using a number of techniques, including piecing together CCTV images from the offence areas, they were able to link the offences and gather together the evidence in order to identify and arrest the men.

A fourth man, 20-year-old Joshua Anslow from Church Road, Studham, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months.

A fifth man is wanted in connection with these offences. Reece White, 22, of High Street South, Dunstable, has been summoned to court after failing to appear at court for his trial. If anyone knows of his whereabouts, they are asked to contact police on 101 immediately.

DC Simon Smith said: "These were relatively young offenders who had started out on a life of crime.

"Their crimes were of particular concern given the nature of breaking into homes, during the night whilst the occupants were sleeping.

“This was a very involved investigation, but one where the pieces of the puzzle came together and led us to the gang. I hope the time inside provides them with the opportunity to reconsider their life choices.”