15 charges following clamp-down on quad bike thefts

A man has admitted 15 offences including Burglaries and thefts of quad bikes following a police clamp-down.

Jeffrey Wayne Bevan, aged 50 of Swansea, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 15, where he pleaded guilty to all the offences including five counts of burglary, four counts of theft of vehicles, one count of criminal damage, and one theft from a vehicle.

Bevan was arrested following a number of enquiries by Dyfed-Powys Police, which culminated in a substantial quantity of stolen property being recovered during searches carried out in the South Wales Police area.

Detective Inspector Andrew Cotterell said: “The Carmarthenshire division was hit by a spate of thefts overnight on October 28, with farms being targeted.

“Tools and a horse box were reported as stolen from four properties, and suspicious activity was reported at two others during the night.

“Because of the number of reports, we started looking for connections between the offences, and Rural Crime Team PCSO Helen Fender was instrumental in identifying linked offences. This resulted in a targeted operation being expedited, and suspects from the South Wales Police area being considered.”

Bevan and one other male was arrested and a number of properties searched in the Swansea area. They were arrested on November 13 and Bevan charged to appear at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court. He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on November 29.

A second man was released on bail pending further enquiries.

DI Cotterell said: “The theft of quad bikes and other equipment has a huge impact on the farming community, and we are doing all we can to bring those responsible to justice.

“We are actively targeting these offenders, while also working with the farming community to disrupt criminal activity of this kind.”