Terence O’Reilly, 23, and James Carthy, 33, were involved in a series of nine burglaries, three attempted burglaries, and a vehicle theft, spanning Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex between August and October, 2024.
Burglaries in Hampshire included homes in Fareham, Havant, Waterlooville and Petersfield.
Surrey Police have shared this video showing the moments two burglars were caught by officers.
The pair had targeted a number of Hampshire homes, including some in Fareham. pic.twitter.com/a8t1BeHxDK
— Ross Marshall (@RossMarshall87) July 22, 2025
O’Reilly was also found guilty of committing nine additional offences, which included six burglaries, two attempted burglaries, and another vehicle theft across Hampshire, Sussex, and Berkshire.
Both men used Covid-style surgical face masks to disguise themselves.
O’Reilly typically approached homes first, wearing a cap and mask, knocking or ringing the doorbell to ensure no one was home.
Once confirmed, he and Carthy would break in through the rear doors and windows, targeting safes, loose cash, and jewellery.
The duo executed their crimes during the day and at night.
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Detectives were led to the criminals by the sight of a modified silver Audi S3, with its front grille and badge painted black, that appeared in numerous CCTV footage at or near the crime scenes.
This car was also spotted at the scene of a burglary in Billingshurst in September 2024, where a rare Mercedes E43 AMG was stolen.
The Mercedes was found weeks later stuck in a ford in Bordon, likely abandoned after the driver misjudged the water level.
A sledgehammer was found inside.
Their crime spree ended on the evening of October 2, 2024, after the silver Audi fled from police in Hascombe.
The driver and passenger threw a Louis Vuitton handbag, Chanel handbag and a pillowcase filled with jewellery out of the window before abandoning the car a few minutes later.
Officers quickly cornered them – O’Reilly was detained with the help of a police dog on a hillside, while Carthy was found trying to hide under a bridge in the nearby river.
Both had discarded some of their clothes and shoes and covered the inside of the car with bleach to hide their tracks.
Inside the Audi, officers found two baseball caps, a crowbar, a chisel, a pickaxe, and a pair of surgical face masks.
On July 21, at Guildford Crown Court, O’Reilly was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and vehicle theft.
Carthy was sentenced to six years imprisonment for burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and theft of motor vehicle.
