AN alleged criminal gang is to face trial accused of a £290,000 crime spree - including a plot to steal a mountain of Easter eggs and the theft of a Yodel delivery van.
Six men are accused of operating as an organised outfit, based in Plymouth and connected to 33 thefts including four-wheel-drive vehicles, tractors, trailers, horse boxes, boats and farm equipment.
They were charged after detectives claimed to have uncovered a crime spree across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
Police say the alleged spree includes a Yodel transit van, taken in Plymouth last month, and the theft of thousands of pounds worth of Easter eggs.
Detectives discovered a stolen Land Rover, attached to a stolen horse box containing a quad bike and generator – also stolen – among the loot.
Officers also claimed to have detected convoys of vehicles, including stolen Land Rovers, being driven up the M5 to Somerset where they were "fenced" or broken up for parts.
Investigators say evidence from automatic vehicle number recognition cameras and from mobile phones shows how the group worked and shifted their haul.
The alleged ringleader, Daniel Small senior, 58, from Linketty Lane, Plympton, appeared in Exeter Magistrates Court on Friday on two charges of conspiracy and was released on bail.
His sons James Small, 36, of Berkshire Drive, Ford, and Daniel Small junior, 25, of Ward Place, Efford – both in Plymouth – each face five counts of conspiracy.
The pair were remanded in custody.
The Crown Prosecution (CPS) said the three members of the Small family were the "centrepiece" of the conspiracy, which is alleged to have begun last summer.
Daniel Cruickshank, 30, of Pembos Road, in Plymouth, faced one charge of burgling a dwelling belonging to a 79-year-old in Lamerton, near Tavistock, and was released on bail.
The CPS said Cruickshank was a "foot soldier" in the operation.
Police said they arrested James Small, Danny Small junior and Daniel Cruickshank at a property in Lamerton on Wednesday, March 16.
Other arrests were made after that, including Barry Stephens, 58, of South Barton Farm, Veasy Park, Wembury.
Stephens faced one count of conspiracy and 11 other charges relating to stolen goods and was released on bail.
Police claim to have found vehicles including a stolen New Holland tractor and an Ifor Williams trailer at Stephens' farm in Wembury, where he has 230 animals.
A sixth man, Stephen Benney, 31, was also arrested and faced one charge of conspiracy.
Police believe stolen vehicles and items were taken to his home at Unit 4, The Paddock, Woolavington Puriton, Bridgwater.
Benney was also released on bail after a hearing on Friday morning.
Howard Phillips, prosecuting, said the complex case, showed a conspiracy.
"The essence of a conspiracy is different people play different roles," he told the court.
"Some were roaming Devon and Cornwall stealing agricultural equipment while the older men played a different role."
No pleas were entered by any of the six, who are set to return to Exeter Crown Court for trial on April 21.