A New Addington man has been jailed for a series of golf club raids across the country thought to total more than £750,000.
Joe McCaughey, of King Henry’s Drive, and his accomplice Daniel Lloyd, were responsible for at least 36 burglaries in 17 counties, including four on a single day.
Some of the raids were caught on CCTV.
It is believed they could have raided up to a thousand lockers and stolen equipment worth more than £750,000.
Both men were found guilty of conspiracy to burgle at Birmingham Crown Court.
Twenty-six-year-old McCaughey received a three year prison sentence and Lloyd, from Keston, has been jailed for five years.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) caught on to the pair after searching Lloyd’s home in connection with another investigation.
They found evidence on his computer of internet searches for golf club thefts, lock picking and locker security.
It then came to light the duo were subjects of a wanted appeal featured on Crimewatch in 2010.
During the trial evidence was used relating to 36 golf club burglaries but NCA officers believe McCaughey and Lloyd were responsible for many more.
The duo moved around clubhouses in golf attire and even chatted to other golfers.
When they gained access to the changing rooms, which they sometimes did by duping members of staff, they stole full sets of golf clubs, shoes, clothing and even cherry-picked the more expensive clubs.
The main vehicle they used was a Chrysler Grand Voyager which was registered to an address linked to Lloyd.
He sold the vehicle shortly after the Crimewatch programme was aired.
They raided golf clubs in many counties including Lancashire, Devon, Durham, Kent, Merseyside and Suffolk.
Steve Baldwin, NCA head of regional investigations, said: “These men were professional burglars who tried to mask their identities by avoiding CCTV cameras, changing their clothes to enter the same clubs over and over again, and using false number plates on their vehicles.
“When we discovered they were the wanted men from the appeal, the NCA worked with police forces and golf clubs across the country to gather evidence.
“We proved they had stolen equipment from hundreds of golfers, which they disposed of here and overseas.
“Our focus is now the financial side of the investigation and stripping them of their assets.”
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here