Three bungling robbers, who punched and threatened a Nottinghamshire convenience store keeper repeatedly during a robbery in January, have been jailed.
The trio is caught due to their use of “highly distinctive” car in multiple crime scenes in the same, police said. The trio were jailed last week.
Friends Alex Kinsey, Terry Woroch, and Lee Birtles went on a day-long crime spree on 22 January in a dark-coloured Toyota Aygo with a bright orange roof. Nottinghamshire Police said they failed to rob a post office, stole petrol, took cigarettes in a knifepoint robbery and tried to burgle a house.
Police said while the vehicle may have been travelling on false plates, its highly identifiable colour “made it easy to spot on CCTV”.
The trio’s crime spree began when Kinsey and Birtles attempted to force their way behind the counter of the Post Office in Scrooby Road, Bircotes – only to be chased away by a female employee.
After stealing £30 of petrol from a garage in North Road, Retford, the trio then made their way to a convenience store in Owston Ferry.
Police said the shopkeeper was punched repeatedly and threatened with a knife before Kinsey and Birtles made off with cigarettes, alcohol and cash.
Detectives traced the men and they were later arrested.
Kinsey, 35, pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery, attempted burglary, making off without payment, and handling stolen goods. He was jailed for five years and three months at Nottingham Crown Court.
Birtles, 42, pleaded guilty to both robberies, attempted burglary and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for five years and six months.
Woroch, aged 51, admitted robbery, making off without payment and attempted burglary. He was jailed for four years and seven months.
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