Members of the Liverpool-based organized crime group, that used to target convenience stores armed with “heavy duty” tools after they were closed for the day, are now under arrest.
According to local reports, the group of three fathers- Anthony Carroll, Anthony Hollywood and Daniel Kelly- targeted Co-op shops across the North West, arming themselves with “heavy duty” tools and breaking in after the premises had closed for the day.
They raided seven convenience stores in the space of just over a month, taking nearly £40,000 in cash.
The first incident happened at Co-op on Knutsford Road in Latchford, Warrington, at around 10.30pm on February 10. Two men with a crowbar entered the building while another remained outside and stole £7,480. The following day a branch in Southport targeted at 11.15pm, with just over £6,500 taken, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday (8).
A shop in Runcorn was then raided to the tune of £3,185 before two attacks on Valentine’s Day. One incident in Salford saw more than £10,000 taken shortly before midnight on February 14.
Then, at around 1.30am, the offenders travelled to a convenience store in Hoylake and pinched £6,500. Later that same day, Hollywood was stopped by police and arrested.
Officers subsequently discovered £6,900 in cash in his bedroom, while clothing recovered matched that worn by an offender seen on CCTV footage. The raids continued on March 12 though, when a Co-op in Formby was burgled for £2,697 in cash at around 11pm.
The spate of break-ins ended at the Co-op on Chaise Meadow, Lymm, after men brandishing a crowbar entered late at night and took more than £2,000. The money stolen during all seven burglaries totalled £38,487, the court heard.
Carroll and Kelly were linked to the crimes by automatic number plate recognition cameras and mobile phone cell siting data. The former had acted as a getaway driver and had only been involved in two of the offences.
Carroll, Hollywood and Kelly could be ordered to repay their gains under the Proceeds of Crime Act at a further court hearing later this year. Charges against a fourth defendant – 27-year-old Shaun Moorcroft, of no fixed address – were withdrawn, states the report.