Two charged after theft of cash machine from hotel led to chase
TWO men have been charged following a cash machine robbery in Hounslow, which triggered a dramatic police chase through West Drayton.
Thomas Connors, 26, and Michael Moorhouse, 30, were charged with conspiracy to commit commercial robbery on Friday August 12.
The pair appeared in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court on September 13.
The charges relate to an incident at the Renaissance Hotel in Bath Road, Hounslow, on Friday where a group of people in a black BMW X5 rammed through the back entrance door.
An ATM was stolen from the lobby at around 1am. Security staff at the hotel attempted to intervene but were threatened by the suspects who suggested they had firearms – although none were actually seen.
The suspects made off with the cash machine before a marked police vehicle spotted the BMW and followed it.
A second vehicle, a blue Audi RS6, crashed into the police car in Hatch Lane, West Drayton, which forced officers to stop – suffering minor injuries in the process.
Another police vehicle witnessed the collision and began to pursue the BMW X5.
The two vehicles then collided before the suspects ended up in a ditch, with the occupant of the abandoned car jumping into the Audi.
The ATM was recovered by police from the stricken BMW.
The Air Support Unit then assisted police in tracking the suspect vehicle – the Audi – to Ashford in Surrey.
Another marked police car located the Audi to Albian Crescent but the Audi drove into the police car and the suspects made off on foot.
Two more officers suffered from minor injuries following the collisions but did not need to be taken to hospital.
Police enquiries continue into whether any cash had been taken from the ATM and to establish the number and whereabouts of the other suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Flying Squad on 020 8785 8923, the police non-emergency line on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.