Serial burglar admits crimes in Worthing and Shoreham

Anthony O’Driscoll, 24, burgled Ren’s Kitchen in Penfold Road, Worthing, Piccola Italia in South Farm Road, Worthing, M&D Motors in Hawkins Road, Shoreham, and a home in Henty Road, Worthing, in April and May.

On April 28, he broke into M&D Motors and stole hundreds of pounds worth of tools before targeting the home in Henty Road, from where he stole jewellery, a watch and the keys to a Mazda MX5 before driving away in the car.

He broke into Ren’s Kitchen and escaped with alcohol, an iPod and cash and stole a camera and cash after forcing his way into Piccola Italia.

Crime-scene investigators were able to link DNA and fingerprints left at each site to O’Driscoll and he admitted the offences.

O’Driscoll, of Mill Road, Worthing, will appear at Chichester Crown Court to be sentenced on a date to be fixed.

He is one of a string of burglars who have been convicted in the last few days as part of Operation Magpie, launched by Sussex Police to tackle burglary across the county.

Detective Inspector Dave Wardley-Wilkins said: “Each of these four burglars is now in custody thanks to good work by detectives and forensic officers.

“Each of them was likely to continue committing crime until they were caught, so getting them off the streets is good news, not only for us, but for all of those who could have been their victims in the future.”

Other successes for Operation Magpie include the charging of Wayne Leyh, 32, of Seldon Road, Worthing, with burgling Cafe Latte in Warwick Street in the town on March 2 and stealing from Sainsbury’s at Lyons Farm.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on June 23.

If you have any information about burglaries, please call 101 or email [email protected].

If you see or hear a burglary taking place call 999 immediately.