Men, 19, admit raids on cars in Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds and Weeting

Two 19-year-old men have admitted stealing items from motor vehicles in West Suffolk following some ‘quick-time investigative work’ by police.

Connor Stembarski and Joseph Cousins were arrested on Thursday, September 20, in Weeting and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning after officers spotted a suspicious looking vehicle in the Red Lodge area the previous day.

It follows several incidents of theft from vehicles between Tuesday, September 18 and September 20 in Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds and Weeting.

Among the items stolen were power tools, three sat navs, cash and bank cards, an iPod nano and a pair of headphones.

On Friday, September 21, Stembarski, of no fixed address, was charged with eight counts of theft, one count of driving without insurance and one count of driving while disqualified.

Meanwhile, Cousins, of Guildford Way, Thetford, was charged with eight counts of theft.

Both men appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, September 22, where they pleaded guilty to all offences.

They were remanded in custody and will appear before the same court on Thursday, October 11, for sentencing.

Police have been able to locate some of the stolen property.

Sgt Steve Duncan, from Mildenhall Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a great bit of partnership work between CID, roads policing and the local patrol officers.

“The great observational work by the patrol officers who saw the suspect vehicle prompted some quick-time investigative work to locate some of the stolen items and consequently secure these two arrests and charges.

“I’d take this opportunity to remind motorists that there are a number of measures that they can take in order to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of theft, including not leaving valuables on show in vehicles and parking in well-lit areas.”