A burglar who stole a BMW from a home in Rotherham has been sentenced to over six years in prison
Joseph Johnson, 20, of Park Spring Grove in Sheffield, was linked to eight burglaries between October and December 2024, where he targeted cars by breaking into homes and stealing the ownersโ keys.
Seven vehicles were stolen in the spree, including a BMW worth ยฃ20,000 taken from a Rotherham home on 9 October.
The following day, Johnson burgled a Sheffield home and stole items including jewellery, sunglasses, and Second World War medals, worth over ยฃ1,300 in total.
Detectives pieced together a detailed case against Johnson, using forensic evidence and CCTV footage. A breakthrough came after officers discovered a shopping receipt in a grey Seat Leon abandoned near the scene of a burglary in Firth Park. Tracing the receipt to a local shop, police obtained CCTV footage showing Johnson at the storeโalong with the stolen car arriving and leaving shortly after the purchase.
The evidence was so strong that Johnson had no choice but to plead guilty to eight burglaries, dangerous driving, and assaulting an emergency worker during a court hearing in March. The assault occurred on 13 December, when Johnson tried to flee arrestโramming a parked car and dragging an officer along the ground who was holding onto the car door.
On Tuesday, 3 June, Johnson was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to six years and three months in prison. He was also sentenced for a further burglary and two motor vehicle thefts committed in 2023 and June 2024.
Investigating Officer Ellie Pearson, who led the case, praised the determination and teamwork involved in securing the conviction.
โWe know burglaries have long-lasting impacts on victims. They can make people feel unsafe in the place they should feel most secure,โ she said. โJohnson had no regard for his victims and actively tried to evade arrest knowing he was wanted.โ
In addition to the nine offences he was sentenced for, Johnson also admitted to four more burglaries and one attempted burglary during a voluntary interview.
