FOUR men from Merseyside have appeared in court after a string of burglaries across West Cheshire.

The gang was arrested after a series of warrants executed at addresses across Merseyside on Friday (August 5).

It is alleged the gang committed a string of burglaries across Chester, Neston and Helsby between mid-June and August 4 this year.

Michael Jones, 27, from Charles Price Gardens, Ellesmere Port, Adam Orr, 19, from Solly Avenue, Rock Ferry, Matthew Wallace, 21 from Rosalind Avenue, Bebington, and a 16-year-old from Birkenhead were charged with a £60,000 break-in at a house in Hargrave, Chester on August 4 when a high value Lexus car and thousands of pounds worth of electrical goods and jewellery were stolen.

Following interview by detectives, a number of other burglaries have been taken into consideration.

The men appeared before Magistrates in Chester this morning (Monday, August 8).

The gang were bailed to appear before magistrates again on September 16, when the case will be passed to crown court.

Orr, the 16-year-old and Wallace, who pleaded not guilty, were granted bail and Jones will remain in custody.

Two men and a woman, also from Merseyside, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and will appear at Chester Magistrates Court on August 24.