Serial offender jailed after driving stolen van into Fforestfach e-bike shop
Matthew Morgan, 40, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to theft, criminal damage and stealing a motor vehicle in connection with the incident at Uprise Bikes on May 12.
Morgan stole a DHL delivery van, damaging several vehicles belonging to another business before using the van to smash through the front of the Uprise Electric store on Kingsway, Swansea West Industrial Estate. He then stole two electric bikes from inside the premises.
The break-in, described by the store as “aggressive”, occurred in the early hours and was captured on CCTV. Although the suspect was masked, detectives were able to identify Morgan as responsible for both the vehicle theft and the forced entry.
Detective Constable Richard Olsen, of South Wales Police, said: “Matthew Morgan is a repeat offender who continues to show wilful disregard for the law. Thankfully, the security measures at the premises worked as expected, and the incident was captured on CCTV, albeit with the suspect being masked. Thanks to the hard work of detectives, Matthew Morgan was identified as responsible for stealing the van and then subsequently forcing his way into the store during the night. With this prison term, the people of Swansea will fortunately not have to tolerate Matthew Morgan’s criminal behaviour for the foreseeable future.”
Morgan was previously charged alongside Natalie Squibb, 37, from Portmead, who was also arrested and charged with burglary following the incident.
The store, which opened in April 2024, temporarily closed after the raid but reopened the next day, posting on social media: “We’re back—and more fired up than ever. The coffee’s on, and the good vibes are flowing. We’ve still got some clean-up ahead, but nothing’s stopping us. The Uprise crew is back and ready to roll. Let’s ride!”
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