Over 100 Cars Stolen: East London Gang Sentenced for Keyless Thefts

A sophisticated criminal enterprise responsible for the theft of over 100 high-value vehicles, with a combined worth estimated between £1.1 million and £1.7 million, has been dismantled by the Metropolitan Police. Four men from East London and Essex have been sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison for their roles in the organized crime group.

The sentencing took place at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, September 11, following the men's guilty pleas to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. The individuals, identified as Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed, Muhammed Imran Ali, Kabir Ahmed, and Paul Barringer, were linked to more than 70 offenses committed over a seven-month period.

The police investigation, which began in July 2024, uncovered a meticulous operation that relied on a high-tech "key emulator" device. This electronic tool allowed the gang to bypass a vehicle's security system, open the doors, and start the engine without a physical key. In some cases, the men resorted to breaking into homes to steal car keys before taking the vehicles. The gang primarily targeted popular models from manufacturers such as Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota.

The investigation involved a painstaking review of CCTV footage and forensic evidence. A key breakthrough occurred on October 2, 2024, when officers followed the gang in a stolen car. Police observed the men steal a car from a residential street in Southwark before pursuing them back towards East London. Three of the men were arrested during this operation, and a key reprogramming device was found inside the vehicle. A week later, Kabir Ahmed was arrested while attempting to get into another stolen car, leading to the recovery of a second key emulator.

Further police inquiries successfully linked the men to 27 additional stolen cars, which were subsequently recovered. Authorities believe the gang operated on a "stolen to order" basis, with customers requesting specific makes and models. The stolen vehicles were either sold with cloned number plates or shipped overseas.

In terms of sentencing, the court handed down the following prison terms:

• Muhammed Imran Ali, 34, of Atherton Road, Forest Gate: Five years and 10 months' imprisonment.
• Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed, 30, of Bow Road, Tower Hamlets: Five years' imprisonment.
• Kabir Ahmed, 35, of Hornchurch High Street: Four years and eight months' imprisonment.
• Paul Barringer, 33, of Westminster Drive, Southend-on-Sea: Two years and six months' imprisonment.

While court records do not provide ethnicity, the names of the individuals involved can offer some insight into their cultural backgrounds. Muhammed Imran Ali, Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed, and Kabir Ahmed possess names that are commonly associated with a number of ethnic groups across South Asia, including those of Bangladeshi origin. The name Paul Barringer, in contrast, is typically of Western European descent. The police did not provide further details on the ethnic identity of the defendants.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the evolving methods used by criminal gangs and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat vehicle theft in London.