TWO Oldbury brothers are now behind bars after the police uncovered their part in stealing top of the range BMWs in Staffordshire.

The police's big break came after a high speed car chase on the M6 and M5 ended with the arrests of Kamran Khan, aged 26, and Ansar Mahmood in a stolen BMW.

The police were only able to apprehend the pair after they drove up West Bromwich slip road the wrong way.

Four BMWs were stolen between February 13 and February 27 last year and the police quickly linked Kamran's younger brother Osman. aged 23, to the thefts.

A detailed investigation was carried out by Staffordshire Police's Southern Criminal Investigation Department who gathered phone and Automatic Number Plate Recognition evidence linking the men to the theft in Rugeley and another in Stafford.

The investigation uncovered evidence that led to the arrest of Osman Khan, and further inquiries secured ANPR and mobile phone evidence that linked him to the theft of BMWs in Burton and Sutton Coldfield.

Investigating officer DC Ed Rowe said: "We believe the group planned these thefts and they were specifically targeting BMW vehicles.

"However, they underestimated the power of technology.

"ANPR alerted motorway officers and they were able to intercept the vehicle and make these significant arrests which formed the basis of the investigation."

He added: "We take acquisitive crime, which includes the theft of vehicles, very seriously and are committed to bringing those who commit such crime to justice."

Osman and Kamran Khan, of Barker Street, were sentenced last week to five and four and a half years in jail respectively at Stafford Crown Court.

Their co-accused Ansar Mahmood, aged 27, from Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham was jailed for four and a half years.

Osman Khan stood trial in January where he was found guilty of conspiring to steal motor vehicles.

Kamran Khan and Ansar Mahmood pleaded guilty to the same offence.