A gang of burglars has been convicted of a string of thefts across Suffolk, Essex and three other counties.
The men were found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court after the jury heard how forensic evidence, including DNA traces found on a half-eaten pasty, sausage roll packet and socks, helped to identify those involved.
The four men worked together to steal property worth in excess of £200,000 from homes and jewellery shops across Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Surrey and London between April and November 2015.
As well as breaking into homes, they stole a number of parked cars and used them to commit further burglaries.
Other identifying evidence included CCTV footage and automatic number plate recognition.
David Speed, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and conspiracy to disguise criminal property and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries.
Alan Speed, 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries and conspiracy to disguise criminal property.
George Robinson, 30, of Holland Road, Clacton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries.
And Jimmy Stevens, 37, of no fixed address, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries and conspiracy to commit commercial burglaries.
The men now await sentencing.
Dc Aimee Burton from Colchester CID said: “The gang worked together to steal cars from properties across five counties and clone the plates to then use them to burgle commercial premises.
“Evidence including fingerprints and DNA traces found on a half-eaten pasty, sausage roll packet and socks left in some of the stolen vehicles linked the men to the crimes.
“They will now be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, April 5, 2018.”
A fifth man, John Lenihan, had previously been charged with conspiracy to commit dwelling burglaries. He was found not guilty.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here