Lincolnshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit led the investigation into the group’s activities
Five men have been jailed after an organised crime group targeted farms, rural businesses and other premises across Lincolnshire in a burglary and theft campaign causing losses of more than £785,000.
The group was linked to 13 burglaries and three thefts involving high-value machinery, vehicles and equipment, with all five defendants pleading guilty to offences connected to the investigation.
They were sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on 11 September.
Zamuel Mallinson, 35, of Brookenby, was jailed for six years and two months.
Benjamin Barnes, 40, of Scunthorpe, received four years and four months, while Richard Rowles, 35, of Brookenby, was sentenced to three years and three months.
Ryan Mumby, 32, of Nunsthorpe, was jailed for three years, while Jordan Howard, 29, of Grimsby, received two years and one month.
Police said the group operated in a highly organised and coordinated way, often using older 4x4 vehicles fitted with cloned registration plates.
Offences were typically planned in advance and carried out at night, with members wearing gloves, heavy clothing and face coverings in an effort to avoid detection.
One of the most striking offences involved the theft of three quad bikes from an RNLI facility at Burgh Le Marsh in May 2023.
Investigators found that members of the group had seen the newly purchased vehicles being transported through Lincolnshire and followed the delivery vehicle to establish where they would be stored.
CCTV and mobile phone evidence later showed the site was monitored before the group returned under cover of darkness.
After forcing entry to the compound and storage unit, the offenders stole all three quad bikes, which had been bought to support lifesaving operations along the Lincolnshire coast.
Lincolnshire Police said the wider investigation began after Zamuel Mallinson was arrested in connection with three significant offences, including the RNLI theft.
The incidents had initially been investigated separately before officers identified potential links and the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit took over.
A key breakthrough came from the forensic examination of three mobile phones seized from Mallinson.
Officers analysed the devices alongside call and location data, CCTV, forensic evidence and intelligence from a range of sources to identify patterns of offending and links between suspects.
Police worked with the Crown Prosecution Service Complex Case Unit to build the case.
Although investigators identified further linked offences, they proceeded with 13 burglaries and three thefts which police said provided the strongest overall evidential case.
Detective Sergeant Adam Petty, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “This was a sophisticated and highly organised group which caused significant harm to victims across our rural communities.”
He said farms, businesses, charities and individuals had been left facing substantial financial losses and disruption.
“Their offending was carefully planned and carried out with little regard for the impact on those they targeted,” he said.
Commenting on the theft of the RNLI quad bikes, Det Sgt Petty added: “The theft of the RNLI quad bikes demonstrates the group's complete disregard for others.”
He said the vehicles had been purchased to support an organisation dedicated to saving lives along the coastline, but were targeted for financial gain.
Jolon Mallinson, 30, of Brookenby, has also pleaded guilty to three offences and is due to be sentenced at a later date.