Two thieves, caught in the act on home security cameras, have been sentenced to prison for their crime spree. Terence O’Reilly, 23, and James Carthy, 33, were jailed for eight and six years respectively after burglarizing multiple properties across the South East from August to October 2024.
The duo gained entry to homes by checking to see if anyone was around before breaking in and rifling through for valuables.
They were clearly unaware they were being recorded by doorbell cams, with O’Reilly seen wearing a Covid-style mask as he peers through letterboxes and twists door handles to check for occupancy. Striving to avoid fingerprints, he even covered his hand with his jumper while performing these checks.
Surrey Police noted that a flashily modified silver Audi S3 was seen in various CCTV footage near crime scenes, which ultimately led to the duo’s identification.
On the evening of October 2, during a police pursuit, the two men discarded a Louis Vuitton bag, a Chanel handbag, and a pillowcase filled with stolen jewelry out of the car window before ditching the Audi and running on foot.
With the area swarming with officers, O’Reilly and Carthy didn’t escape for long.
How They Were Brought Down: Police Dog Encounter
Body-cam footage revealed intense moments as a police dog held O’Reilly at bay on a hillside, allowing officers to apprehend him. Carthy, on the other hand, was filmed attempting to evade capture by hiding under a bridge.
As they fled, they discarded some clothing and even attempted to cover the interior of the car with bleach in a failed attempt to erase evidence of their crimes.
Upon searching the Audi, officers seized multiple baseball caps, burglary tools including a crowbar, a pickaxe, and surgical masks.
At Guildford Crown Court, O’Reilly and Carthy faced charges for nine burglaries, three attempted burglaries, and vehicle theft; with O’Reilly also convicted of nine additional crimes in surrounding areas including Hampshire, Sussex, and Berkshire.
Upon sentencing, O’Reilly will spend eight years behind bars, while Carthy will serve six years. Both men will also face a Serious Crime Prevention Order, aimed at dissuading them from further criminal activity.
A representative from Surrey Police commented, “This case highlights organized crime in the region. The defendants displayed complete disregard for the impact of their actions, and their incarceration will deter similar crimes. I appreciate everyone who played a role in this investigation.”
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