Man admits spate of car thefts

A man has admitted carrying out a car theft operation across the Black Country in which more than a dozen cars were taken in a matter of weeks.

The vehicles - with a total value exceeding £400,000 - were taken between April and May 2023.

West Midlands Police found 24-year-old Keltonjay Martin would discuss stealing cars in a group chat, before undertaking reconnaissance at various locations where he planned to carry out the thefts. He would later return to steal the vehicles he had targeted.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Martin, of Swancote Road, Dudley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. He is due to be sentenced in April.

Officers said while investigating the spate of thefts, they identified Martin as being involved through CCTV footage.

He was arrested on 1 June 2023. Upon seizing a car in his possession, police found that it had been modified to disguise the fact it was stolen.

Police said that after Martin carried out thefts, he would take photos and videos of the cars, offering them for sale, again in a group chat.

Footage retrieved from his phone found videos of himself discussing the cars he planned to target, and could be heard saying "I'll house burgle that" while referring to a black SUV.

Following the court hearing on 27 February, Sgt Matt Price, from West Midlands Police, said Martin was "prolific" in stealing people's cars across the Black Country, using multiple methods.

He said: "Martin will be sentenced after causing distress to victims. We understand how inconvenient and distressing vehicle crime is, and how it can prevent people from carrying out their daily life."

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