Three men in court after ram raid in Reading
Metropolitan Police made the arrests
Metropolitan Police Flying Squad officers investigating a series of linked offences across London and the south of England have charged three men after arresting them in Reading.
The investigation was launched in response to a series of night time burglary offences committed by an organised criminal group. In many of the offences, the suspects used stolen vehicles to ‘ram raid’ commercial premises, often ripping out ATMs or cashboxes before making off.
Eight offences were committed between 14 November 2021 and 29 December 2021. The remainder were committed between 29 January 2022 and 10 August 2022; the latter being a ram raid at an Esso Tesco Express in Uxbridge.
In the early hours of Thursday, 18 August, the group allegedly stole a Range Rover in the Reading area which they drove, along with a stolen Alpha Romeo, to an Esso petrol station and Tesco Express outlet in Buckingham Drive, Reading.
They carried out a ram raid of the premises at around 02:30hrs on 19 August, but three of the men (‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’) were detained by Met officers at or near to the location. A fourth man (‘D’) made off and remains outstanding.
The three men - ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ - were found to be in possession of stolen cashboxes and various tools and weapons. They were arrested and taken into police custody.
A fifth man E was arrested later on 19 August in the Hounslow area. He was also taken into police custody and subsequently released under investigation.
Thames Valley Police area commander, Supt Steve Raffield, said:
“The Metropolitan Police are leading this investigation, however I’m aware that there has been some speculation and concern around shots being fired.
"I’d like to reassure you that no shots were fired during the incident."
On Friday, 19 August, ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ were charged with non-residential burglary on 18 August in Reading and with conspiracy to commit burglary between November 2021 and August 2022.
They will appear in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Monday, 22 August.