Watch: Sparkbrook car key burglar caught within minutes of stealing Mercedes

A car key burglar has been jailed after he was caught as he tried to speed away in a Mercedes he’d stolen minutes earlier in Birmingham.

When officers spotted Tyron Murdoch he raced off and led them on a pursuit through residential roads in Erdington before crashing into a parked car.

He then tried to flee on foot but was cornered by officers in an alleyway and arrested less than 30 minutes after the A-Class had been reported stolen.

The 25-year-old had broken into a home in Main Street, Sparkbrook, on 14 September last year and taken keys to the Mercedes and an Audi.

But when he failed to get the Audi started, as it was fitted with an immobiliser device, he turned his attentions to the Mercedes.

Officers were alerted about the burglary at just after 10.10pm and at 10.28pm officers on patrol saw the stolen Mercedes, with Murdoch behind the wheel.

He was pursued for almost 10 minutes, with the Mercedes veering onto the wrong side of the road a number of times, and travelling at speeds of 63mph in 30mph zones.

Murdoch, of Phipson Road, Sparkbrook, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft of a car, dangerous driving and attempted theft of a car, and was jailed for four years at Coventry Crown Court on Wednesday (16 March).

What was said following sentencing?

DC Eve Faulder, of Force CID, said: “It’s so upsetting for those who fall victim to burglars to know someone has been in their homes and for their property to be stolen from the very place they should feel most safe.

“Officers on patrol in the area were alerted to the break-in and saw the stolen vehicle but instead of stopping, Murdoch tried to evade us by driving dangerously and at speed until he hit a parked car.

“We understand the impact of vehicle crime on our communities and we’re working hard to crackdown on this and arrest offenders.”

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