Skelmersdale thief jailed for 90 days after admitting stealing from cars

Jan 17 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A THIEF who admitted targeting a series of unlocked cars to steal items has been jailed for 90 days.

Scott Orr, 20, from Banksbarn, Skelmersdale, was arrested at 10pm last Thursday by officers investigating a spate of thefts from cars in the Up Holland area.

It came as the Advertiser issued a warning to motorists from police in last week’s edition following a crime spree, which had seen around 15 thefts from cars reported over a two-week period.

Police had uncovered forensic evidence from a car that had been broken into which identified Orr as a potential suspect.

He was interviewed on Friday, January 11 where he admitted going into four cars with a view to stealing items of property.

The cars had all been left unlocked at the time the offences were committed.

Orr was charged with two counts of stealing from vehicles and had two offences taken into consideration.

He appeared at Ormskirk Magistrates Court on Monday and was sentenced to 90 days in prison.

Sgt Steve Monk, of Lancashire Police, said: “We have been investigating a series of vehicle crimes in the area.

“Upon the offender being identified he was apprehended and quickly put before the courts at the earliest opportunity.

“It’s a good result that within four days of being arrested he has been dealt with and sentenced by the courts.

“It’s a reminder to residents that these types of individuals do target vehicles left insecure.

“We urge people to ensure they lock doors and windows on their vehicles at all times.”

In last week’s article we reported how officers had gone out on patrol following the raids, knocking on doors and leaflet dropping to warn motorists that a team of thieves was working in the area and looking for easy targets. Police had urged motorists to be vigilant about their property after reports of people walking around housing estates during the early hours of the morning trying car doors, with the majority of thefts coming from cars that were unlocked.