A trio of heartless burglars opened Christmas presents and stole treasured jewellery as they ransacked homes across Chester and Ellesmere Port.
James Monaghan, 22, Nathan Elliott, also 22, and Connor Coppock, 19, were only caught thanks to DNA left on the straw of an orange juice carton found with garden equipment they had nicked.
As well as jewellery, the three men took cars, bikes and money during a three-week crime spree in November 2015.
They are now behind bars.
DC Iestyn Lewis-Jones said: “The men ransacked houses and outbuildings, opened Christmas presents and stole sentimental jewellery as well as expensive bikes during their spree across Ellesmere Port and Chester.
“However they were stopped in their tracks after one of the men left DNA on the straw of an empty carton of orange juice found with garden equipment stolen from a garage in Chester.
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“Our investigation tied them to further offences and now they are paying for their actions.
'Ordeal for victims'
“Burglary is an emotive crime which can be traumatic for the victims, so to see these men behind bars will hopefully help them in some way begin to come to terms with their ordeal.”
The trio broke into houses, sheds and carriages to grab the loot in a string of offences between November 3-25.
Finding the DNA led Cheshire Police to the property in Blacon where they were staying.
Officers searched the address and found the stolen goods.
The trio each admitted 11 offences relating to conspiracy to commit burglary dwellings and conspiracy to commit burglary other than dwellings were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on March 29.
Jail sentences
Monaghan, from the Ellesmere Port area, who also pleaded guilty taking a vehicle without consent, was jailed for three years and nine months and handed a three-year driving ban.
Elliott, of Faraday Road, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to 27 months while Coppock, who is originally from Blacon, was caged for a year and 10 months.
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