Two robbers attempted to blow up an ATM to steal £160,000 last July in Northwood, Stoke-on-Trent, but their plan went awry when the improvised explosive device detonated in one of their faces, as captured by CCTV footage.
The incident, reported by Metro, showed one of the robbers manhandling a woman while the other smashed the ATM with a hammer. Despite the explosion, the thieves, identified as Wesley Shepherd and Benjamin Thompson, managed to escape with nearly £93,000. Witnesses described cash flying around the car park.
Their luck ran out when police arrested them weeks later at Manchester Airport as they were attempting to flee to various destinations including Malaga, Egypt, and Mexico. Following their arrest, Greater Manchester Police released shocking footage of the robbery. Shepherd and Thompson were subsequently sentenced to 18 years eight months and 20 years in jail, respectively, for their involvement in robberies not only at the Northwood shop but also at three other convenience stores in Greater Manchester.
Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and cause an explosion likely to endanger property and life. Judge Alan Conran KC condemned the “planned and highly-organised” robberies, noting the “disturbing” use of IEDs as a new modus operandi. Detective Sergeant Rich McCorry from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group emphasized the disregard for public safety displayed by the perpetrators and highlighted the significant impact such attacks have on victims. He praised the collaborative efforts of Greater Manchester and Staffordshire Police in linking the crimes, ensuring the dangerous individuals were brought to justice.
#JAILED | Men who jetted off on holiday using stolen cash jailed for 38 years.
Driving stolen cars, the duo would enter premises armed & threaten staff, before placing an explosive into the machine to gain access to cash 💰
How we caught them: https://t.co/g0OP3SX57r pic.twitter.com/KhzPF1qYLk
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 29, 2024
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