Solihull car thieves jailed for preying on drivers at petrol stations - The Solihull Observer

Solihull car thieves jailed for preying on drivers at petrol stations

Solihull Editorial 29th Sep, 2021   0

TWO Solihull car thieves have been jailed for preying on drivers at petrol stations in the borough.

Nelson Herne from Roach Close, Solihull and William Lewis from Honeybourne Road, Sheldon, admitted conspiracy to steal vehicles between February and July 2020 at Birmingham Crown Court.

Herne, 42, was jailed for 27 months and Lewis, 37, for 30 months.

CCTV footage showed Lewis sneaking up on motorists at petrol stations and jumping in the driver’s seat as their backs were turned.




Lewis is seen speeding off in cars as owners were inflating tyres and hoovering interiors – and even while petrol hose nozzles were still attached.

Herne and Lewis together stole 16 vehicles with a combined value topping £150,000.


Officers identified the pattern of offences and spotted a red Renault Clio used by the pair to stalk petrol stations.

The Clio was registered to a woman known to Herne and the police seized it during a raid on her address last October.

In the boot were a pair of boxing gloves that had been inside a Ford Kuga stolen last July at an Esso garage in Marston Green.

Further footage showed Lewis’ partner, Laura Lightwood, 34, also from Honeybourne Road, and Michelle While, 39, from Gillscroft Road, Kitts Green, using bank cards taken from stolen vehicles at various shops.

They both admitted fraud and handling stolen goods.

Lightwood received an 18 month community order, including a rehabilitation course, but While failed to attend court and is now wanted.

Detective Sergeant Mick Clark who led the investigation at Solihull Force CID, said: “We identified the red Clio that Lewis and Herne were using. Herne would help identify targets and send Lewis, who’s a heavy drug user, across the road to commit the offence.”

Nelson Herne from Roach Close, Solihull and William Lewis from Honeybourne Road, Sheldon, admitted conspiracy to steal vehicles between February and July 2020 at Birmingham Crown Court.

Herne, 42, was jailed for 27 months and Lewis, 37, for 30 months.

CCTV footage showed Lewis sneaking up on motorists at petrol stations and jumping in the driver’s seat as their backs were turned.

Lewis is seen speeding off in cars as owners were inflating tyres and hoovering interiors – and even while petrol hose nozzles were still attached.

Herne and Lewis together stole 16 vehicles with a combined value topping £150,000.

Officers identified the pattern of offences and spotted a red Renault Clio used by the pair to stalk petrol stations.

The Clio was registered to a woman known to Herne and the police seized it during a raid on her address last October.

In the boot were a pair of boxing gloves that had been inside a Ford Kuga stolen last July at an Esso garage in Marston Green.

Further footage showed Lewis’ partner, Laura Lightwood, 34, also from Honeybourne Road, and Michelle While, 39, from Gillscroft Road, Kitts Green, using bank cards taken from stolen vehicles at various shops.

They both admitted fraud and handling stolen goods.

Lightwood received an 18 month community order, including a rehabilitation course, but While failed to attend court and is now wanted.

Detective Sergeant Mick Clark who led the investigation at Solihull Force CID, said: “We identified the red Clio that Lewis and Herne were using. Herne would help identify targets and send Lewis, who’s a heavy drug user, across the road to commit the offence.”

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