- Ben Thompson, 36, and Wesley Shepherd, 40, stole £160,000 from ATMs
- The pair used the cash to jet off on luxurious holidays to Malaga, Egypt and Mexico
Two crooks who have been caught on digicam blowing up money machines to steal cash have been jailed for 18 years.
Ben Thompson, 36, and Wesley Shepherd, 40, entered 4 shops and supermarkets within the north west of England between April and July final yr.
The pair threatened employees earlier than inserting explosive gadgets into the money machines.
Thompson and Shepard made off in stolen automobiles and used the cash taken from the money machines to jet off on luxurious holidays.
Dramatic CCTV footage launched after they have been jailed exhibits the harm brought on by the explosions.
In one terrifying clip, one of many balaclava-clad males might be seen grabbing maintain of a feminine employee outdoors a retailer and bundling her inside.
Benjamin Thompson, 36, (left) and Wesley Shepherd, 40 (proper) have been caught on digicam blowing up money machines to steal cash
A member of the general public is confronted by one of many raiders throughout a theft at a Co-op in Stoke-on-Trent
In one other clip, the boys are seen smashing right into a money machine utilizing a hammer.
The duo stole nearly £160,000 in complete and triggered tens of 1000’s of kilos price of harm to the companies, Greater Manchester Police mentioned.
They used the stolen money to jet off to Malaga, Egypt and Mexico from Manchester Airport.
But the pair have been stopped by armed police on September 19 once they have been seen in a automotive collectively in Sale, Greater Manchester.
Shepherd and Thompson ditched the automotive and ran to evade police, however discarded a rucksack in the course of the chase.
Police discovered excessive visibility vests, gloves, a screwdriver, tape, and a smoke flare within the backpack.
The duo stole nearly £160,000 in complete and triggered tens of 1000’s of kilos price of harm to the companies
Thompson is seen smashing the ATM throughout one of many raids. The pair positioned explosives contained in the money machines
Thompson was jailed yesterday for 20 years whereas Shepherd was sentenced to 18 years and eight months
Thompson was arrested on the forecourt of a grocery store a short while later, whereas police arrested Shepherd at his mum’s home in Northenden.
Thompson was jailed yesterday for 20 years whereas Shepherd was sentenced to 18 years and eight months.
They each pleaded responsible to conspiracy to commit theft and trigger explosion prone to endanger property and life at an earlier listening to.
Speaking after sentencing, detective sergeant Rich McCorry mentioned: ‘These males had no regard for the protection of the general public of their endeavour to make some quick money.
‘This sort of behaviour is insupportable and the lasting impression that such an unprovoked assault can have on a sufferer is big.
‘Following a diligent investigation with specialist colleagues from throughout Greater Manchester and Staffordshire Police, we have been capable of hyperlink the crimes and now two harmful, reckless males are behind bars for a very long time.’