Newport Burglars Jailed After Dramatic Police Chase

Two Newport burglars who stole a van after taking keys from a home have been jailed following a dramatic police chase. Teejay Thomas, 34, and Michael Truman, 35, were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday after a crime spree across South Wales. 🚔

The pair burgled two properties and attempted to burgle another on December 14 last year. At the first property on Pentre Tai Road in Newport, they stole a Prada bag containing perfume and Asics trainers worth £150 from underneath the Christmas tree.

The second burglary took place in White Avenue, Newport, where the defendants entered the property and took a set of keys before stealing a white Ford Transit from the driveway. The vehicle reportedly contained items worth £1,000.

Police pursued the stolen Transit on the B4239 near Cardiff, which was being followed by a red Honda Jazz. When officers deployed a stinger on the Transit, the driver abandoned the van and got into the Honda which then fled. After a second stinger brought the Jazz to a halt, both men attempted to escape on foot.

Thomas was later found hiding in long grass and admitted being the driver of the Jazz, while Truman was discovered nearby. Both were arrested at the scene.

The court heard Truman had earlier been involved in the theft of a Volkswagen Caravelle from Station Road, Llandaff, on October 16 last year. The vehicle was later found damaged in Splott with an estimated repair cost of £19,000.

Thomas had also attempted to burgle a property in Braeside, Caerphilly, on the same day as the other offences.

In mitigation, Thomas’s defence said he had been trying to “better himself” with barber training but “went off the rails” after family illness, including his grandmother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Truman’s defence cited long-standing alcohol issues and declining mental health following prison release.

Judge Hywel James described the thefts as a “significant violation” causing “high anxiety” to the homeowners. Thomas was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment while Truman received 42 months. Both were disqualified from driving for 12 months upon release.