Jail for burglars who stole tools from Cambridge home and sold them on Facebook

Two burglars who stole tools from a Cambridge home and sold them on Facebook have been jailed.

CCTV captured Cambridge men Damian Webb and Samuel Ellis removing tools and equipment from a home being renovated in Mill Road on 11 June, 2022.

The homeowner contacted police after being alerted to the burglary by a neighbour, who found the door left open.

The victim later notified police that he had tracked down one of the tools, a Hilti battery and charger, on Facebook Marketplace, which he bought back from Webb.

The burglary team arrested 56-year-old Webb at his home in Campkin Road and found a number of tools with the victim’s initials on in his back garden and shed.

Ellis, 38, of James Street, was arrested after a white Audi he was spotted on CCTV loading the tools into was traced back to him.

Officers also found a scrap metal receipt in Webb’s home in the name of Ellis for £193 for heavy copper, dry bright wire, household cable, batteries, lead, brass and aluminium. Checks showed Ellis had made five visits to scrap dealers, including two days after the burglary.

Webb was also captured on CCTV looking through windows and trying the door handles of a home in Victoria Road on 24 August, 2022.

Webb was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on 6 August to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to burglary and attempted burglary.

Ellis was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to burglary.

PC Samantha Chapman, who investigated, said: “Webb is a prolific burglar who specifically targets renovation properties for tools and building materials.

“Burglary can have a devastating impact on victims, which is why tackling it is one of our priorities and we will continue to work hard every day to bring offenders like Webb and Ellis before the courts.”

Visit cambs.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/ for burglary prevention advice.