A burglar known for targeting high-end vehicles has been sentenced to over six years in prison.

Damon Keegan was responsible for stealing nearly £350,000 worth of luxury cars such as BMWs and Audis. Over a year, he ran an advanced burglary operation across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Derbyshire. His activities were uncovered when police discovered a lock-picking set, a spy camera, and a sledgehammer in his garage.

Keegan, who hails from Hyde, used a radio frequency jamming device to disable WiFi and phone signals, including doorbell cameras. He often broke into houses while residents slept, employing aggressive and damaging methods.

Keegan has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for his crimes. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) initiated an investigation in August 2023 into a series of high-end car burglaries. Keegan was soon identified as a suspect, leading to the involvement of GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group.

During the investigation, officers found a garage near Keegan’s home being used for preparing burglary tools. Items recovered included lock-picking sets, blank car keys, a spy camera, and various other implements. Keegan was arrested in November 2023 and found with the jamming device.

His crimes caused significant distress, leaving victims feeling unsafe in their own homes. In October 2023, a BMW X5 was stolen from a driveway in Lymm. Keegan was wearing an electronic tag at the time and disconnected the WiFi to avoid detection before stealing the car.

In another incident in November 2023, an Audi A3 was stolen from a home in Glossop and later found in a garage in Blackley, then tracked to Leeds. It had undergone extensive modifications and had false plates.

Additional Audi A3s were stolen from homes in Timperley, Congleton, and Stockport. Keegan appeared in Minshull Street Crown Court on September 27, pleading guilty to multiple charges, including burglary, theft of motor vehicles, and dangerous driving. He was sentenced to six years and eleven months.

"He had no option but to plead guilty"

Detective Constable Holden from GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group remarked that Keegan’s years of similar offenses and sophisticated methods made him a significant threat. His arrest and conviction were facilitated by an extensive investigation involving cross-border collaboration between various police forces.

The overwhelming evidence against Keegan forced him to plead guilty, ensuring justice for the victims and highlighting law enforcement's dedication to solving such crimes.