Co-op cig-raid gang locked up
A BURGLARY gang who stole a haul of cigarettes from a convenience store – sparking a huge police search – have been jailed.
Peter Clark, 32, Matthew Bowers, 32, Gareth Robinson, 28, and Ryan Stewart, 35, all from Oldham, raided a Co-op on January 8.
Three of the gang forced their way into the shop at about 11.25pm before searching it and making off with cigarettes, as the fourth man waited outside in an Audi A3.
As they fled the scene in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, a police traffic team, dog unit and the helicopter were deployed to track them down.
They were traced to Denshaw, in Saddleworth, where they abandoned the car and ran off, but were chased and arrested by officers nearby.
All four men have now pleaded guilty to burglary at Bradford Crown Court and were each jailed for four years.
Robinson also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and possession of a bladed article, while Bower pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle and driving whilst disqualified.
He was also banned from driving for three years.
Det Inspector Gary Stephenson, of Calderdale CID, said: “These men travelled to Hebden Bridge with the sole purpose of causing criminality and causing disruption in our community.
“This investigation highlights how seriously we take reports of burglaries – we will find you and you will be arrested, charged and put through the courts.”