Shoplifter Flees Police, High Speed Chase Ends in BMW Crash

A shoplifter led police on a chase. He ran a red light, crashing into a car. Police found Dean Davies and his girlfriend at the scene. Stolen items were in their car’s back.

Davies has a history of driving offenses, including dangerous driving and driving while banned. He was jailed before for a high-speed chase that ended when he hit a van. A judge said he ignores traffic rules.

Alexandra Wilson said police got shoplifting reports on January 27. Davies tried to steal goods worth almost £400 from Dunelm Mill and then stole items from B&M, including a vacuum and a rug. Police learned Davies used a Dacia car at both stores.

Officers saw the Dacia at a supermarket car park. Davies drove off toward Fforestfach. Roads police and firearms officers started chasing him.

Davies sped down Station Road wrongly, overtaking cars and running a red light at Fforestfach Cross. He drove toward the city at 70 mph and crashed into a BMW after another red light. Police found Davies and his girlfriend with stolen items.

Davies was arrested and refused to give a sample. He said his girlfriend knew nothing about the shoplifting. The BMW driver went to a hospital but did not support legal action, and injuries are unclear.

Davies admitted theft, dangerous driving, and refusing a sample. He had 59 prior offenses including many driving bans, as well as shoplifting and drug charges. In 2019, he got 14 months for dangerous driving when that chase reached 125 mph before hitting a van.

Dan Griffiths said Davies knew prison was coming and that his driving could have hurt others. He stole low-value items and tried to flee, staying out of trouble for five years. Crack cocaine then led to his recent crimes.

Recorder Paul Lewis said Davies planned to shoplift using the car. Stopping him at Dunelm didn’t deter him, and he then endangered others when avoiding police. Davies ignores traffic laws and got lucky, but dangerous driving only gets two years.

Davies got a one-third discount for pleading guilty. He received 16 months in jail, with fourteen months for dangerous driving and two months covering the shoplifting. He got banned from driving for 44 months and must then retake an advanced driving test. He will likely serve 40% of his sentence in jail, with the rest on community release.