Four men have been brought to justice following a police investigation into a series of violent armed burglaries that left residents in Coventry facing terrifying late-night attacks.
The gang targeted two homes in separate incidents last summer, using machetes and violence to threaten victims before fleeing with stolen property and vehicles.
The first attack took place in Earlsdon at around 1am on 23 July. A group of men smashed their way into the front of a property and threatened those inside with a machete. The offenders escaped after the terrified victims called 999.
Less than an hour later, another gang armed with machetes forced their way into a home in Wyken.
A man inside was punched and threatened as the offenders demanded money. They then stole kitchen knives and a games console before escaping in two cars belonging to the victim.
But their getaway did not last long.
Within 40 minutes, the police helicopter spotted one of the stolen vehicles travelling alongside the second stolen car. A pursuit followed, with one of the vehicles even being driven the wrong way along the A446.
The suspects were eventually stopped and detained by armed police officers.
Knives and machetes were recovered, while police searching an address linked to the gang found the stolen games console.
Detectives then pieced together the evidence, including hours of CCTV footage, to establish the suspects’ involvement in the offences and secure their convictions.
Long Prison Sentences Handed Down
At Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday, 15 July, three members of the gang were sentenced.
Junior Yawli, 20, of Parry Road, Coventry, was jailed for 11 years and two months after being convicted of two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle.
Mohammed Ramirez, 26, of Kenilworth Road, Birmingham, received a nine-year prison sentence after being found guilty of two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle.
Nathan Evans, 26, of Dudhill Road, Rowley Regis, was jailed for six years and six months after being convicted of one count of aggravated burglary and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle.
The fourth defendant, Sebastian Kandrac, 20, of Normandy Road, Birmingham, had already pleaded guilty to all the offences. He is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Sergeant Jay Aston, who supervised the investigation, welcomed the sentences.
He said: “I am incredibly pleased with the sentences handed down by the court, which reflect the gravity and violence involved in these offences.
“These individuals brought terror to the doorsteps of innocent residents, brandishing weapons without a second thought.
“I am proud of my team who investigated this, especially DC Scutariu and DC Hodgkins, who worked around the clock to bring justice to the victims and their families.”