John James Rice, of no fixed address, is responsible for some vehicle crime-related incidents in the Blackburn North area.
The Blackburn Neighbourhood Policing Team noticed a spike in vehicle-related offences in the Brownhill and Ramsgreave areas of Blackburn in October 2024.
Officers carried out policing operations in an attempt to catch the offender in the act. On Saturday, November 16, police arrested Rice.
He was charged with 29 interference with a motor vehicle offences, four theft from motor vehicle offences and one charge of criminal damage to a motor vehicle. He was remanded in custody and attended Blackburn Magistrates Court.
Rice failed to appear at his next court date and breached his Electronic Monitoring Service (EMS) tag conditions. On Friday, December 27, officers arrested Rice for numerous Interference and theft from motor vehicle offences both in the Lancashire and Greater Manchester area.
He was subsequently charged with a further five interference with a motor vehicle, one theft from motor vehicle offence and 16 EMS breaches. Rice appeared at Preston Magistrates Court on Monday, December 30.
On Thursday, January 2, Rice was arrested on the third occasion following new information he had committed five interference with a motor vehicle and two theft from motor vehicle offences in Egerton and Bromley Cross, Bolton. Police worked closely with the GMP Bolton North NPT and as a result, Rice was remanded in custody.
On Wednesday, January 23. Rice appeared at Preston Magistrates Court where he was imprisoned for 16 weeks.
A police spokesperson said: “This is John James Rice. He is responsible for a spike of vehicle crime-related incidents in the Blackburn North area.
“Vehicle-related offences have since significantly reduced and are not tolerated by Lancashire Police.
“Police are looking closely at crime patterns in this area, conducting hotspot patrol and targeting of prolific offenders.
“If you have been a victim of vehicle crime, please ensure this is reported to us or contact us directly by ringing 101.”
