Prolific Burglar Jailed For Six-and-a-Half Years

Dale Melia, 24, of Grantham Street, Coventry, pleaded guilty to 28 counts of burglary, six counts of theft of motor vehicle, two counts of attempted burglary, one count of driving while disqualified and one count of driving without insurance. He was sentenced at Warwickshire Crown Court today (Thursday 23 May).

Melia committed the offences in Warwickshire, Leicestershire, West Midlands and Staffordshire between October 2018 and March 2019.

He stole 19 high-value vehicles including BMWs and Mercedes.

The offences in Warwickshire occurred in Leamington, Nuneaton, Southam, Warwick, Bedworth, Hatton, Rugby, Bulkington, Ash Green and Kenilworth.

He was identified by police after forensics linked him to a number of offences and following several police wanted appeals he was arrested in Coventry on 27 March.

Detective Constable Tim O’Mahoney from the Warwickshire Police Offender Management Unit 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.

“I would like to thank the public for their support in sharing our wanted appeals to find Melia and everyone who provided us with information throughout this lengthy investigation.”

If you have information that can help Warwickshire Police catch a burglar please call 101. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Details of the offences to which Melia pleaded guilty:

• 16 October 2018 – Burglary in Sharnford. Stole a car.
• 18 October 2018 – Burglary in Sharnford. Stole a car.
• 17-18 November 2018 – Burglary in Milverton, Leamington.
• 1 November 2018 – Burglary in Tamworth. Stole jewellery, cash and a car.
• 2 November 2018 – Burglary in Whitestone, Nuneaton. Stole a car and computer.
• 19 November 2018 – Burglary in Southam. Stole a car.
• 20 November 2018 – Burglary in Heathcote, Warwick. Stole jewellery, cash and electronics.
• 6 December 2018 – Burglary in Collycroft, Bedworth. Stole a watch and car.
• 7 December 2018 – Attempted burglary in St Nicholas Park, Nuneaton.
• 19 December 2018 – Burglary in Sydenham, Leamington. Stole a car, computer equipment and a watch.
• 22 December 2018 – Burglary near Warwick. Stole a car.
• 7 January 2019 – Burglary in Hatton. Stole a car.
• 8 January 2019 – Burglary in Sharnford. Stole a car, jewellery, sunglasses and cash.
• 18-19 January 2019 – Burglary in Sharnford.
• 26 January 2019 – Burglary in Cawston, Rugby. Stole a car key.
• 18 February 2019 – Burglary in Hinckley. Stole a car.
• 25 February 2019 – Burglary in Burbage. Stole a car, jewellery, watches, cash and electrical equipment.
• 26 February 2019 – Theft of a motor vehicle in Rugby.
• 26 February 2019 – Burglary in Knowle. Stole jewellery.
• 4 March 2019 – Burglary in Cosby. Stole a car.
• 8 March 2019 – Burglary in Sydenham, Leamington. Stole a car and jewellery.
• 9 March 2019 – Burglary in Whetstone. Stole a car.
• 13 March 2019 – Burglary in Bulkington. Stole a car.
• 14 March 2019 – Burglary in Ash Green. Stole a watch.
• 14 March 2019 – Burglary in Knowle. Stole jewellery.
• 14 March 2019 – Burglary in Dorridge.
• 18 March 2019 – Theft of a car from Ullesthorpe.
• 18 March 2019 – Attempted burglary in Lutterworth.
• 25 March 2019 – Burglary in Ullesthorpe. Stole a car, cash, a watch and sunglasses.
• 26 March 2019 – Burglary in Hatton. Stole jewellery and clothes.
• 26 March 2019 – Burglary in Hatton. Stole a car and jewellery.
• 27 March 2019 – Burglary in Kenilworth.