A PROLIFIC burglar who stole high value cars has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Dale Melia, 24, of Grantham Street, Coventry, pleaded guilty at Warwickshire Crown Court to 28 counts of burglary, six counts of theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of attempted burglary, one count of driving while disqualified and one count of driving without insurance.
Melia stole 19 high-value vehicles including BMWs and Mercedes in Warwickshire, Leicestershire, West Midlands and Staffordshire between October and March.
Melia targeted cars in Leamington, Rugby, Warwick, Kenilworth, Southam, Ash Green, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Hatton and Bulkington.
Melia was arrested in Coventry following a police appeal, after forensic evidence linked him to some of the thefts.
Det Con Tim O’Mahoney, from Warwickshire Police, said: “The scale of Melia’s offending was astonishing and there is no doubt our communities are safer with him in prison.
“Following a thorough investigation and support from the public Melia’s crimes finally caught up with him and he is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.”