Family of thieves who stole 28 cars across Surrey and South East rumbled by their own text messages

A family of car thieves who committed a spate of keyless vehicle thefts across the South East were caught after incriminating messages were found on their phones. The trio targeted high value motors over an 18 month period from May 2022 to November 2023.

Father and son George Bolton Senior, 37, (DOB: 30/01/1987), and George Bolton Junior, 22, (DOB: 08/11/2002), teamed up with up with George Snr’s brother, Warren Bolton, 33, (02/01/1991) to steal cars across Surrey, Sussex, Hertfordshire, Essex, West Midlands, and London.

But their web of organised crime came to an end after Surrey Police officers discovered incriminating text messages involving George Jnr and Warren, discussing which vehicles to target, how to break into keyless vehicles, and videos of their latest steals. Through messaging apps, the group also dropped ‘pins’ on the locations of target cars, as well as using specialised apps to monitor a vehicle’s history and its ‘stolen’ status.

They committed a total of 28 offences, typically in the early hours of the morning. Occasionally they were captured on CCTV holding up relay devices outside the vehicles and homes to try and break into their target cars, but their faces were covered. It was only when officers were reviewing mobile phone evidence from a separate case that they were able to identify the trio.

All three men admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and were sentenced to a combined total of 13 years in jail when they appeared at Reading Crown Court on Friday, November 22.

George Mark Bolton, 22, of Roman Road, Essex, was sentenced to a total of three years and two months in jail. His father, George Thomas Bolton Snr, 37, of Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison. Warren Bolton, 33, of Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, who also admitted being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and Class B drugs and was sentenced to seven years and two months behind bars.

Investigating Officer, DC Arun Sharma, said: “The incriminating evidence was stacked up against the Boltons, and their blasé communication with fellow offenders shows their lack of compassion or consideration towards the victims they deprived of their vehicles.

“This investigation and evidence gathered allows us to build an even bigger picture of organised crime groups throughout Surrey, and we are glad these three offenders have been brought to justice – I hope this serves as a message that vehicle crime will never be tolerated.”