THREE men suspected to be members of a ‘car key burglary’ gang which struck homes and businesses across Somerset and Devon have been remanded in custody to face a crown court trial next month.

The trio were arrested in the south Bristol area on Wednesday, March 8, and made a first court appearance before magistrates in the city on Friday, April 10.

They were charged with offences relating to a total of 27 crimes which were committed between November of last year and this month, including in Midsomer Norton, Clutton, Farmborough, and Chelwood, in Chew Valley.

Magistrates committed the men to appear in Bristol Crown Court on May 18 and ordered they be held in custody until then.

The gang was thought to be behind a six-month crime spree which saw a joint investigation between Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Constabularies.

‘Car key burglaries’ are where somebody breaks into a property and steals a set of keys for a vehicle parked outside and then drives off in it.

Cole Howland, aged 22, from Hartcliffe, Bristol, was charged with 10 counts of dwelling burglary and theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Blake Huygens, also 22, of Bedminster, Bristol, was charged with four counts of dwelling burglary and theft, four counts of commercial burglary, and one count each of aggravated vehicle taking without owner's consent, theft, attempted dwelling burglary with theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Gary Warman, aged 34, also from Bedminster, faced one count each of dwelling burglary and theft, commercial burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Avon and Somerset Det Insp Tim Mullins said: “The impact of any burglary offence can be huge on victims, especially when it happens within their own home.

“These charges represent a really positive step forward in our investigation.”