POLICE have arrested and charged four men all wanted in connection with recent burglaries across Darlington. 

Michael Simmons, 46, from Celandine Close, was arrested on suspicion of burglary after stealing headphones from CEX on Queen Street back in April.

Simmons was charged with the offence and has since been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after entering a guilty plea at court.

A further two men were arrested on suspicion of burglary following an incident at an address on Shelley Road, Darlington, on Wednesday.

Officers moved quickly to identify the suspects and recover the stolen property in just under 12 hours after the theft was reported.

Lee Geldard, 46, and David Swales, 51, both from Darlington, have since been charged with the offence and were due to appear in court on Friday.

In a fourth breakthrough, Elroy McArthur, 43, from Cedar Mews, was charged with six counts of burglary.

McArthur was also due to appear at court on Friday morning. 

The arrests came as Darlington's Volume Crime team received information on the whereabouts of the four males. 

Detective Sergeant Liam Robertson, from Darlington Volume Crime Team said: “I’m really pleased with the determination shown by my team to get these offenders off our streets, they have worked tirelessly, day and night to secure these convictions.

“Let it be known - we will continue to pursue criminals and have them brought to justice.”

You can report crime via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.