Crime Wave Cracked: Five Face Court Over East Lancashire Burglaries

Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday 17th March 2025, at 14:30hrs

Five individuals have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries that plagued East Lancashire between 2021 and 2024, Lancashire Police have announced.

Following an extensive investigation into 38 reported burglaries, primarily in the eastern region of the county, the East Burglary Team and the Targeted Crime Team executed arrests on March 11th, 2025.

The following individuals have been charged:

* Brian Mooney, 42, of London Terrace, Darwen, faces two counts of conspiring to commit burglary dwelling with intent to steal, two counts of making off without making payment, and conspiring to steal from a shop.

* Rosemarie Maughan, 38, of London Terrace, Darwen, has been charged with two counts of conspiring to commit burglary dwelling with intent to steal, two counts of making off without making payment, and two counts of conspiring to steal from a shop.

* Michael Mooney, 41, of Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, faces two counts of conspiring to commit burglary dwelling with intent to steal, two counts of making off without making payment, and two counts of conspiring to steal from a shop.

All three have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Preston Crown Court on April 9th, 2025.

Additionally, a 16-year-old boy from Darwen has been charged with two counts of conspiring to commit burglary dwelling with intent to steal and conspiring to steal from a shop.

A 17-year-old boy, also from Darwen, has been charged with two counts of conspiring to commit burglary dwelling with intent to steal.

Both teenagers have been released on bail and are also set to appear at Preston Crown Court on April 9th, 2025.

The arrests and charges are part of #OpDefender, Lancashire Police’s force-wide initiative dedicated to combating residential burglary, with support from Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw.

Lancashire Police have emphasized their commitment to tackling burglary and bringing offenders to justice, reassuring residents that they are taking these crimes seriously.