THREE suspected members of a ‘car key burglary’ gang were appearing in court on Friday (April 10) to face charges relating to a total of 27 crimes.

The gang was thought to be behind a spate of home and commercial burglaries which happened between last November and this month across Somerset and Devon, including in Minehead.

‘Car key burglaries’ are where somebody breaks into a property and steals a set of keys for a vehicle parked outside and then drives off in it.

Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Constabularies had been jointly investigating the crimes and on Wednesday (April 8) three men were arrested in the south Bristol area.

The trio were charged in relation to the ‘car key burglaries’ and other reported crimes and were making a first appearance before magistrates in Bristol on Friday.

Cole Howland, aged 22, from Hartcliffe, Bristol, was charged with 10 counts of dwelling burglary and theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Blake Huygens, also 22, of Bedminster, Bristol, was charged with four counts of dwelling burglary and theft, four counts of commercial burglary, and one count each of aggravated vehicle taking without owner's consent, theft, attempted dwelling burglary with theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Gary Warman, aged 34, also from Bedminster, faced one count each of dwelling burglary and theft, commercial burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Avon and Somerset Det Insp Tim Mullins said: “The impact of any burglary offence can be huge on victims, especially when it happens within their own home.

“These charges represent a really positive step forward in our investigation.”