Three men who stole more than £35,000 during a series of burglaries at retail stores across the north west have been jailed. The trio, all originally from Merseyside, made off with huge sums of cash after targeting ten Co-op and Tesco convenience stores across Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester
Anthony Hollywood, 42 Anthony Carroll, 42 and Daniel Kelly, 31, all appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday (August 8) where they were sentenced to a total of nine years and five months in prison between them. The trio had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal.
The charges related to burglaries at ten Co-op and Tesco convenience store across Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester which occurred between 10 February and 11 March 2022. Those involved would target stores after closing, before forcing open the electric doors with a crowbar to gain entry before prising open safes with sledgehammers.
They were eventually caught out when ANPR data and mobile phone data placed the trio at the scene of a number of incidents. They initially refused to answer the detectives' questions, but later admitted their roles in court.
Hollywood and Kelly both admitted taking part in five of the burglaries, while Carroll admitted burgling two of the stores. Carroll also admitted possession of criminal property in relation to cash that was seized at his address following his arrest.
Hollywood, aged 42, of Stafford Drive, was jailed for three years and four months. Carroll, aged 42, of Longfellow Street was jailed for two years and four months and Daniel Kelly, aged 31, of Prior Street was jailed for three years and nine months.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Ian Morris from Warrington CID, who led the investigation, said: “I welcome the sentences handed to Hollywood, Kelly and Carroll and I hope they act as a warning to other offenders. The trio were all members of an organised crime gang who carried out a series of carefully orchestrated burglaries at stores across the region.
“Between the, during their month-long crime spree, the gang targeted ten stores and stole a total of £38,487. These included stores in Warrington, Southport, Crosby, Liverpool, Runcorn, Salford, Lymm and Hoylake.
“On each occasion the gang would target the stores after closing, forcing open the electronic doors with a crowbar before prising open the roller shutters. Once inside, they targeted the safes, forcing them open with sledgehammers and crowbars.
"Their downfall came after the team here at Warrington CID recovered ANPR data and mobile phone analysis which placed the trio at the scene of a number of the incidents. Following their arrests, all three suspects refused to answer any of the questions put to them by detectives.
“However, as a result of the strength of the evidence we gathered against them, all three men admitted their roles in the incidents at court and are now facing the consequences of their actions. The message is clear, if you come to Cheshire and commit crime, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”
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