Gang jailed for 30 raids in 9 months
Prolific burglars are put behind bars:
●Members of the gang who have been jailed, from left, Andrew Hill, Ryan Ridgway, Scott Ridgway, Jake McMahon and Robert Arthur
SEVEN members of a prolific burglary gang have been jailed after committing almost 30 break-ins in just nine months.
The thieves targeted businesses including fast food restaurants, bars, bookmakers, supermarkets and sports shops across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire between January and September last year.
They would often prise open a fire door with a crowbar then use an angle grinder and sledge hammer to crack open the safe.
Police said on other occasions, the gang would tamper with alarm sensors during the day before returning at night to finish off their job or would deliberately set off the alarms at night and wait to see if anyone responded before breaking in.
Businesses selling designer products and clothing were also targeted and the loot sold on eBay. Investigating officers said the stolen items were worth more than £640,000 in total.
The seven men jailed at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court were: ●●RYAN Ridgway, 34, of Chesworth Close, Stockport, was jailed for three years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. ●●SCOTT Ridgway, 39, of Bosden Close, Stockport, was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. ●●ROBERT Arthur, 32, of Stonemill Terrace, Stockport, was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. ●●ANDREW Hill, 41, of Leburnham Way, Stockport, was jailed for two years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. ●●ROBIN Ocego, 42, from Radcliffe, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods and money laundering. ●●JAKE McMahon, 26, of Carrington Road, Stockport, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. ●●RYAN Davy, 39, from Buxton, Derbyshire, was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
Det Con Leanne Banks, from GMP’s Stockport borough, said: “Under the cover of darkness this group wreaked havoc, stealing significant amounts of money and goods from business across Greater Manchester and beyond.
“They were brazen thieves who came armed with tools and heavy machinery.”