Fake bomb robber told bank staff he was ISIS chief
A ROBBER used an imitation gun and a fake bomb made from household goods to steal thousands of pounds from banks.
The device, which had ‘TNT’ written on the side of three spray cans and an LCD screen taped to the front, was strapped to Michael Thorpe’s chest as he threatened terrified employees during a crime spree last summer.
Drug addict Thorpe used a range of props – including an imitation pistol, voice distorter and a burka – in raids across Stockport, south Manchester and Cheshire.
He also claimed to be ‘a high commander of ISIS’ during one robbery at Tesco Express in Wythenshawe and threatened a heavily pregnant worker in Stockport.
After handing a threatening note over a bank counter in Bramhall, one brave worker screwed it up and told him to ‘get lost’, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Thorpe, 39, from Benchill was jailed for 19 years at Manchester Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery. He carried out five raids, handing notes over the counter to cashiers demanding cash, prosecutors said.
The thug and his accomplice, his girlfriend Rochelle Holman, 31, were caught in December last year, nearly five months after the first robbery.
Holman also admitted conspiracy to rob and was jailed for seven-anda-half years.
The court heard how the pair, both of Crossgate Avenue, Benchill, were drug addicts.
Holman was in rent arrears and was being threatened with eviction from her Wythenshawe home and Thorpe said he was in debt to criminal associates, it was said.
In the first robbery, at RBS in Cheadle on July 13 last year at about 2.20pm, Thorpe wore a motorbike helmet and dark clothing and handed over a note saying he was ‘working for ISIS’ to a male cashier.
Staff took the threat seriously after noticing he had what appeared to be a bomb strapped to him. In fact it was an imitation.
The next robbery took place at RBS in Sale on August 30 at 1.42pm. Thorpe was wearing a top-to-toe burka and women’s sunglasses.
He handed over a note which read: “Don’t move or make a sound. I’m a female member of ISIS. I’m strapped with a homemade bomb with the trigger in my right hand.”
The staff member, who has since had months off work due to stress, pressed the covert alarm and added a dye pack to the cash but Thorpe got away with £3,230.
Then at the RBS in Romiley, on September 18 at about 11.50am, Thorpe approached a female member of staff who was seven months pregnant. She pressed a covert alarm after realising what was happening.
Next, Thorpe targeted a bureau de change at Tesco Express in Baguley on November 20 at 12.37pm.
Wearing a motorcycle helmet and a hi-vis jacket with a Tesco logo stuck on it, Thorpe handed over a note.
It read: “Don’t make any sudden movement or sound. I am a high commander of ISIS. I am strapped with a 2kg explosive vest with the detonator in my right hand.”
The fifth robbery was at Vernon Building Society in Bramhall on December 1 and the last was at Thomas Cook travel agents in Knutsford on December 7, where Thorpe was wearing a motorcycle helmet, a hi-vis jacket and had a box with a four-foot Christmas tree.
At 4.49pm he entered the travel agents and pointed the gun at a female member of staff and demanded money.
While making off with £1,000, $1,500 and 1,500 euros, which he put in the box under the tree, Thorpe wished the other member of staff a ‘Merry Christmas’.