This is the shocking moment a 'dangerous' robber sprays ammonia at Post Office workers in a terrifying raid. CCTV footage shows Daniel Burtak - who was wearing a false beard to conceal his identity - vaulting over a security screen and counter.
He's followed by a member of staff, but emerges to spray ammonia at her and another employee. The footage, released by police after Burtak was jailed today, also shows him helping himself to wads of notes from a cash till in a separate room.
Burtak and getaway driver Colin Naylor, both from Bolton, were locked up for 12 years each. Burtak sprayed ammonia from a washing-up liquid bottle at the members of staff before escaping from the branch on Abbey Street in Accrington, Lancashire, on a bicycle, police said.
Lancashire Police said officers were called to reports just after 5.20pm on May 10, 2019, that a robbery had taken place and around £15,000 had been taken. "On his way out of the Post Office, Burtak, who was wearing a false beard and a scarf to hide his face, sprayed ammonia at staff for a second time," said a force spokesman in a statement released on Thursday after the sentencing hearing.
"CCTV captured getaway driver Colin Naylor picking up Burtak close to a nearby pub in a black Mitsubishi Warrior pickup truck. On May 31, 2019, the pair attempted to commit a second robbery – this time at the Post Office on Blackburn Road, Accrington.
"At 11am on that day, Naylor was captured shopping at Asda on Moss Bank Way in Bolton. CCTV then showed his Mitsubishi pick-up being driven towards Accrington. At 12.20pm, Burtak – wearing the same false beard and scarf as on May 10 – cycled to the Blackburn Road Post Office. He pushed at the front door but did not go inside.
"Burtak's actions roused suspicion with a Post Officer worker, who followed the defendant in his van onto Countess Street. Burtak threw a bottle of washing up liquid containing ammonia at the Post Office worker’s van, before getting into Naylor’s waiting Mitsubishi pickup.
"Burtak and Naylor were later filmed by a member of the public acting suspiciously around some bushes on China Street, Accrington. Recovered from the bushes were parts of Burtak’s disguise, including a wig which was used as the false beard and gloves, which contained the defendant's DNA."
Police went on to find the Mitsubishi pick-up abandoned on China Street. Burtak's distinctive navy blue and yellow snood, which contained traces of his DNA, was found inside, together with Naylor's receipt from Asda.
"Both defendants were subsequently arrested and interviewed," said the force. "Burtak denied any involvement in the offences. Naylor said that his pickup had been taken by a gang of Somalian men on May 10, who gave it back to him later that day and then took it from him again on May 31.
"Those accounts were rejected by a jury at Burnley Crown Court earlier this year."
Both men denied the charges they faced but were convicted by a jury.
Burtak, 35, of Settle Street, Little Lever, Bolton, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and three counts of administering a noxious substance. He was sentenced to 12 years, with a three-year extended licence period after being deemed to be a 'dangerous offender'. Naylor, 51, of Raikes Way, Darcy Lever, Bolton, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery. He, too, was jailed for 12 years.
Det Con Alex Prendergast, of East Division, said: "This was a planned conspiracy, with both defendants playing their own key roles. Burtak's actions inside the Post Office on Abbey Street were both cowardly and shocking. Understandably, they left the victims feeling terrified. Thankfully, although they did suffer some injuries, they were not serious.
"Despite the overwhelming weight of evidence against them, both defendants continued with their absurd assertions that they were not responsible for these crimes. I am pleased that the jury saw through their lies and came back with guilty verdicts.
"The sentences handed down by the judge reflect the seriousness of their offending. I am pleased, given his appalling actions, that Burtak has been classed as a dangerous offender and given an extended licence period. This will mean he will continue to be monitored by the authorities, even after he is released from custody."
