ATM Raiders Jailed After Boasting Police Had No Evidence
A gang of cash machine raiders who stole a staggering £700,000 from ATMs using angle grinders and other high-powered tools has been jailed, following a nearly year-long crime spree across England. The group's downfall came after they recklessly boasted on WhatsApp that the police had no evidence against them, with messages declaring 'we're not stupid'.
Sophisticated Operation and Reckless Boasting
The gang, consisting of Noel Reilly, Craig Howell, Simon Pagett, Oliver Matthews, and Daniel Hickenbottom, meticulously planned and executed their raids. They used stolen high-performance cars, equipped with angle grinders and sophisticated 'jaws of life' hydraulic rescue tools—typically employed by firefighters—to force open cash machines. To evade capture, they employed multiple fake number plates for their getaways.
Their audacity extended to booking two holiday lets in Cumbria as a base of operations while striking in the county on three consecutive days in August 2024. However, their overconfidence proved fatal when they sent WhatsApp messages gloating about the lack of police evidence, which later became crucial in the investigation.
Nationwide Crime Spree and Key Roles
The raiders targeted ATMs in numerous regions, including West Mercia, Leicestershire, Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, and Staffordshire. Over just under a year, they carried out nine successful attacks, stealing more than £128,000 in one three-day spree alone from three shops, using a stolen Audi as their getaway vehicle.
Each member had specific roles: some conducted the ATM attacks, while others handled logistics, such as transporting stolen vehicles and storing them at Oliver Matthews' garage, Bloxwich Resprays. Matthews also drove around the country post-crimes to assist the gang.
Investigation and Convictions
The gang's recklessness caught up with them when police spotted the stolen Audi being transported on a low loader towards the Midlands. The transporter was stopped, leading to the arrest of driver Daniel Hickenbottom. Subsequently, detectives from West Midlands Police pieced together the case by reviewing CCTV footage, phone records, WhatsApp voice recordings, and DNA and fingerprint evidence.
All five men pleaded guilty and were sentenced in October, with reporting restrictions only recently lifted. Their sentences are as follows:
- Craig Howell, 44, of Wolverhampton: Jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods, and possess criminal property.
- Noel Reilly, 46, of Bromsgrove: Jailed for eight years and six months for conspiracy to burgle, handling stolen goods, and possessing criminal property.
- Simon Pagett, 43, of Bloxwich: Also jailed for eight years and six months for conspiracy to burgle, handling stolen goods, and possessing criminal property.
- Oliver Matthews, 39, of Baneberry Drive, Featherstone: Jailed for 40 months for conspiracy to burgle.
- Daniel Hickenbottom, 38, of Bloxwich: Jailed for three years and nine months for conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods, and possessing criminal property.
Police Response
West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Tom Frenchum commented on the case, stating: 'A huge amount of planning and preparation went into these offences and the gang showed a high level of sophistication throughout, but our detectives worked tirelessly to disrupt them and now put them behind bars. The gang had specific roles—some would carry out the ATM attacks, while others would help with the logistics of transporting the stolen vehicles and the specialist cutting equipment.'
This case highlights the extensive efforts by law enforcement to combat organized crime, even when perpetrators believe they have outsmarted the authorities. The gang's boasts ultimately provided the evidence needed to secure their convictions, serving as a cautionary tale for would-be criminals.
