A notorious burglar who broke into homes while the occupants were asleep and stole their luxury cars has been jailed. Damon Keegan nicked nearly £350,000 worth of posh motors including BMWs and Audis in just a year, according to Greater Manchester Police. The 31 year old ran an elaborate burglary ring across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire, but was nabbed when cops searched his garage and discovered a lock-picking kit, a hidden camera and a sledgehammer.
Keegan, from Hyde, was also found using a radio frequency jamming gadget - used to disrupt WiFi and phone signals, and disable doorbell cameras at properties. He would often break into houses while families were sleeping inside, using 'intrusive and destructive methods'. Now, Keegan has been sentenced to over six years for his crimes.
GMP said officers started an investigation into a series of high-end car burglaries in August 2023. They found a connection between several of the incidents and identified Keegan as a suspect, reports the Manchester Evening News . GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group were called onto the case and a surveillance operation was initiated.
During the investigation, officers discovered a garage near his home which 'appeared to be used solely for the preparation of burglary offences'. Police discovered lock picking sets, blank car keys, a spy camera, a sledgehammer, a blow torch, replacement footwear, clothing, an axe and several Apple Air Tags. When Keegan was apprehended in November 2023.