Mason Cartledge, 24, was arrested by South Yorkshire Police following a detailed forensic investigation into dashcam footage from a stolen van.
On December 11, 2024, officers recovered a stolen Ford Transit in the Norfolk Park area of Sheffield. The van had reportedly been stolen from Todwick in Rotherham four days earlier. Analysis of the vehicle’s dashcam audio captured a man talking about bleeding from a head injury, with the voice identified as Cartledge, who lives on Sheffield Road, Woodhouse.
Further forensic tests revealed blood inside the van that matched Cartledge’s DNA, leading to his arrest on January 16.
On July 16, Cartledge pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to one count of handling stolen goods and was sentenced to 15 months in jail. He was found not guilty of theft and burglary.
Detective Sergeant Melissa Green commented on the case: “We understand the impact vehicle theft has on communities and individuals. Cartledge showed no remorse and likely believed he would evade justice. However, the hard work of our investigation team, particularly Officer Shannon Lake, ensured he was held accountable and will now serve time in prison.”
