Crawley Moped Thief Jailed After Stealing Motorbikes Across Sussex

A 22-year-old man from Crawley has been jailed after admitting a series of moped and motorbike thefts across Sussex and Surrey.

Ronnie Beckett, of Hyndman Close, was linked to ten thefts and one attempted theft between 13 June and 3 November 2024.

The offences took place in Crawley, Gatwick, Horsham and Reigate, with most of the vehicles stolen from their owners’ workplaces.

Police investigated hours of CCTV footage, gathered witness statements and followed up intelligence to identify Beckett.

He pleaded guilty to nine of the 11 charges, with the remaining two to stay on file.

At Lewes Crown Court on 24 September, he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison, with the sentences running concurrently, resulting in a total term of two years.

PC Michelle Robinson, from Gatwick CID, said the investigation had linked Beckett to offences that had caused significant disruption to victims, many of whom relied on their vehicles to travel to work.

Some stolen vehicles were recovered quickly, but others needed extensive repairs, adding further costs for their owners.

Police are encouraging anyone affected by vehicle theft to report it.

Advice on protecting mopeds, motorbikes and scooters is available on the Sussex Police website.