Burglar jailed after Sunderland taxi firm helped police when he booked a cab to flee house raid

Station Taxis has been praised by police after the firm helped to trace a burglar who booked a cab to leave the scene of a crime.

Jason Taylor raided a Sunderland city centre home in the middle of the night and stole various items including an electric saw, a Blu-Ray player and a hover-board while the occupants were asleep upstairs.

The 32-year-old stashed the items in his rucksack and carrying the hover-board under his arm then phoned Station Taxis and booked a cab to take him home.

Station Taxis worked with officers to trace the burglar to his phone after CCTV was found.

Taylor, of Hume Street, Sunderland, admitted burglary and was last week jailed for nearly two-and-a-half years.

Detective Constable Harry Atanasov, who led the investigation, said: “This was a fantastic outcome as we worked with Station Taxis to irrefutably prove Taylor was responsible for the burglary.

“He showed a total disregard for his victims and even had the audacity to phone a taxi to transport him and his loot home.

“We will continue to do all we can to bring burglars to justice.”

Sergeant Maria Ord, part of the city centre neighbourhood team, added: “We have a fantastic relationship with our taxi firms and deliver regular vulnerability training for drivers on how best to identify and safeguard vulnerable people in our night-time economy.

“They play a hugely important role in helping us to protect the public – and also ensuring criminals are swiftly identified and located, as in this case.”

Station Taxis director Jimmy Usher said the firm were “pleased” to have been able to assist.

He said: “We will continue to work closely with partners to make our city a safer place.

“Our drivers and staff are embedded into the fabric of our local community and have a unique perspective of what is happening in the city. They often come across difficult situations of concern, which is why the safeguarding training has been invaluable for us.”

Taylor was sentenced to 936 days imprisonment after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on June 14.

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