Prolific distraction burglar sentenced to five years in prison

A man who committed fraud and distraction burglaries across Derbyshire has been sentenced to five years in prison for carrying out 59 similar offences across the country.
 
Mark Rhodes committed nine distraction burglaries in Derby, Bakewell, Matlock, Risley and Belper and one offence of fraud by false representation in Duffield between February and March 2009.
 
He was arrested in Ipswich on Friday, May 1 after his photo appeared in the Most Wanted section on BBC Crimewatch.
 
Although the offences he was suspected of committing took place nationwide, the investigation was led by Gloucestershire Constabulary.
 
Appearing at Stroud Magistrates Court on June 3 Rhodes pleaded guilty to eight distraction burglaries and eight frauds. He later admitted a further 53 offences.
        
The offences were mainly committed over a four month period during 2009, with a handful of isolated offences taking place in 2007 and 2008, and took place in 18 police force areas.
 
Rhodes, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to five years in prison for the burglary offences and three for the fraud offences, with the sentences to run concurrently.
 
The 25-year-old had two methods; in the first he knocked on doors in a given area, claiming a link to the local vicar or other member of the church community, and asked householders to lend him money. He was given loans varying from £10 to £400 and on occasions would accompany the householder to a cash point while they withdrew money.
 
His other method involved knocking on doors, claiming to have broken down and asking to use a phone to call for help. He would then distract the householder before stealing cash, bank cards and other similar items.
 
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Goacher, head of CID at Ripley, said that although many police forces were aware of his identity it was not easy to track Rhodes down due to his transient lifestyle.
 
He said: "This man preyed on elderly, vulnerable people and took advantage of their good nature and generosity.
 
"He went to considerable lengths to research the areas he visited and people who lived there to make his story sound more plausible.
 
"We would encourage anyone targeted in this way to contact police and we would also remind homeowners to be on their guard against similar offenders. You should never to allow anyone you don't know into your home unless they have a legitimate reason to be there."
 
DC Leigh Bickerdyke, Gloucestershire Constabulary's Artifice Crime Officer, said: "We took the lead in this investigation but we were reliant on the assistance of officers from the other forces. By working together and with the help of the press and Crimewatch we were able to locate and arrest Rhodes."
 
Rhodes committed a total of 69 offences countrywide.
 
He committed distraction burglaries in Dagnall Close, Bakewell; Locko Road, Spondon; Matlock Green, Matlock; Derby Road, Risley; Pingle Crescent, Belper; Leighton Way, Belper; Prospect Court, Belper; Haven Baulk Avenue, Littleover and Old Vicarage Close, Littleover.
 
He committed fraud by false representation in Eaton Court Hall, Duffield.
 
The other force areas he committed crimes in are:
 
Avon and Somerset
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Devon and Cornwall
Dorset
Gloucester
Humberside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
Northumbria
Staffordshire
Suffolk
Thames Valley
West Mercia

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