Sharp, of Gloucester, then filmed himself driving the high-priced car and phoning friends to brag about his new acquisition. Except, he crashed it nearby and trapped himself in the process, and his alleged accomplice, James Honeywell, 26, fled the scene, The Guardian reports.
Oops.
Sharp and Honeywell allegedly broke into a house in the Longlevens area of Gloucester on Jan.11 and swiped a TV, a wallet, and numerous small items. And the keys to the aforementioned Porsche, which Sharp reportedly drove away and not long after that, crashed into a wall inside the city. That’s when Honeywell fled the scene.
Gloucestershire police released video footage in which Sharp can be heard saying:
“Hey you little [inaudible] I’m in a Porsche Boxster, now look hear the revs.”
He continued:
“I’m in a Porsche Boxster. Anyway I’m driving, it’s my friend’s car init, just picked up a (inaudible),” according to The Telegraph.
Then he says: “Hey babe do you like the Porsche I am driving right now? Uh, you like that Porsche? Keys…obviously I’m the driver. Look…”
Revving the engine, he says: It’s mine babe, obviously, come on…”
Before the city’s crown court in June, Sharp pleaded guilty to burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, drink-driving and driving without insurance, SkyNews reports.
He was sentenced to four years in prison by a judge and was disqualified from driving for three years.
Honeywell, also of Gloucester, received a sentence of 35 months after admitting to aggravated vehicle taking and burglary during the Oct. 22 trial.
The Porsche Boxster is definitely an expensive ride. It’s retail price begins at $52,300, notes Kelley Blue Book.
In the U.S., Forbes notes expensive cars aren’t the ones usually stolen. Instead, the good old family car is what usually gets pinched.
What are the five most commonly stolen cars in the U.S., according to Forbes and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)?
Here they are, including the number of automobiles stolen each year:
1. Honda Accord — 53,995
2. Honda Civic — 53,995
3. Chevrolet Silverado — 27,809
4. Ford F-150 — 26,494
5. Toyota Camry — 14,420
Here’s a few recommendations to keep your car safe:
Sometimes it’s the things we forget that can get us in trouble. The NICB recommends not leaving the keys in the ignition when you’re not in your car. Closing sunroofs and windows, and keeping the car in the garage, not the driveway as well as parking it in a well-lit or well-traveled area if you’re away from home. Many thefts are due to owners making it easy for thieves to steal their cars.
An anti-theft device can also discourage thieves and will often bring a discount on your car insurance. Steering wheel devices like the “Club” are simple and inexpensive, Forbes notes, and can work just as well as costly alarm systems. Thieves want to snatch vehicles quickly, and anything that slows them down may be just enough to deter them from stealing cars.
The NICB also recommends car owners install an ignition kill switch or fuel cutoff device. Make sure it’s in a hidden location so that it’s much more difficult for a thief to start a vehicle and drive it away.
