Black country car thief admits £400k plot

Dudley man filmed himself scouting luxury cars before selling stolen vehicles worth £400,000 in encrypted group chats during organised Black Country theft conspiracy.

A man has admitted his role in a large-scale conspiracy to steal motor vehicles across the Black Country after an investigation into a series of high-value car thefts uncovered the organised targeting and resale of stolen vehicles.

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Keltonjay Martin, 24, pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles linked to the theft of more than a dozen cars with a combined value exceeding £400,000.

The offences took place between April and May 2023 and formed part of a wider pattern of vehicle thefts across the Black Country that prompted a detailed police investigation involving digital forensics and extensive CCTV analysis.

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The court heard that Martin played a central role in identifying and targeting vehicles before returning to steal them. Investigators established that he communicated with others through an online group chat where potential targets and methods for stealing vehicles were discussed.

Officers found that Martin would conduct reconnaissance at locations where vehicles had been identified as suitable targets before later returning to steal them.

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During the investigation, detectives recovered footage from Martin’s mobile phone showing him discussing vehicles he intended to steal. In one recording, while pointing out a black SUV, he could be heard saying: “I’ll house burgle that.”

The court was told that after stealing the vehicles, Martin would take photographs and videos of them and circulate the images within the same group chat, offering the vehicles for sale.

Martin was arrested on 1 June 2023. At the time of his arrest officers seized a vehicle he was using, which subsequent examinations confirmed had itself been stolen and modified in an attempt to disguise its identity.

Following further enquiries, Martin, of Swancote Road, Dudley, was charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles encompassing the series of thefts carried out across the Black Country.

He entered his guilty plea at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 27 February.

Sentencing was adjourned and Martin is due to return to the same court in April for sentence.

Following the plea, Sergeant Matt Price of West Midlands Police said: “Martin was prolific in stealing people’s cars across the Black Country, using multiple methods.

“Thankfully, following investigative work and help from the community, we were able to identify Martin as the offender and lock him up.

“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.”