Seven men convicted of North East ATM thefts

Seven men have been convicted of a series of ATM raids and burglaries across the North East.

The gang swiped more than £100,000 from cash machines from Perth to Aberdeen.

They were eventually cornered at an Angus fast food restaurant in February last year.

The trial concluded on Wednesday 5th April at Liverpool Crown Court.

The gang will be sentenced later this month and are all facing lenghty jail sentences.

Andrew White, 28 years, of Exeter Street, St Helens, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions.

Anthony White, 26 years. of Kingswood, Huyton, has been found guilty of both offences.

Nanu Miah, 28 years, of Sparbrook, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions.

Anthony Conroy, 29 years, of Wavertree Vale, Wavertree, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Carl Cavanagh, 33 years, of Barford, Huyton, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Michael Galea, 41 years, of Gregson Road, Prescot, was found guilty of both offences

Gary Carey, 40 years, of Burford Road Liverpool, was found guilty of conspiracy to cause an explosion.

"an extremely challenging and complex police investigation"

In December 2015, Detectives from TITAN - the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit in England - started an undercover investigation into an organised crime group originating from the Merseyside area. This crime group was thought to be responsible for causing explosions at ATMs across the length and breadth of the country in order to steal their contents. Detectives tracked the group as they travelled around the country scoping premises, which contained ATMs, and addresses with high performance vehicles, which they would steal and use in the offences.

Undercover evidence showed the group using a variety of cars, including high powered Audi RS4’s, RS6’s and Mercedes A45 and GLA45 AMG’s.

They also stole Motorhomes to transport the equipment they used to carry out the ATM gas attacks. Officers even recovered a Scania lorry with a stolen trailer unit. When officers opened up the trailer they found it had been converted to house a stolen RS4, the trailer came complete with ramps so that the vehicle could be quickly loaded on to it following an offence. The offenders also had hammocks strung up in the rear of the trailer so they could use it to rest. A number of large fuel canisters (used to refuel the Audi and tractor unit) were also stored onboard to cut down on visits to petrol stations and motorway forecourts. Other items recovered included petrol powered grinders, gas cylinders, cloned plates, tools and electrical tape. Police were able to obtain DNA profiles from various items which linked to Carl Cavanagh, Michael Galea, and Anthony Conroy.

These men were responsible for ATM attacks at 13 banks and supermarkets in Aberdeen, Perth and Carnoustie, as well as Merseyside, Cheshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Suffolk. These attacks resulted in losses to the businesses targeted by the thieves, not to mention thousdands of pounds worth of damage to the properties. The offenders were also involved in a number of burglaries, which involved the theft of high value motor cars.

Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Green, who heads up the North West Regional Crime Unit (TITAN), said: "This is the culmination of an extensive 12-month investigation into crimes involving thefts from cashpoint machines across throughout the UK and a number of burglaries at residential properties."

"Given the geographical spread of these offences the investigation has been complex and extensive. To gather all the evidence for the conspiracy to put before the courts detectives have worked together with investigation teams from Scotland, Cheshire, Thames Valley and Gloucestershire Police."

Det Chief Supt Green, added: "These individuals believed they were untouchable and they used dangerous tactics in targeting ATM's, which clearly put members of the public at risk. The techniques used by the men involved in these attacks were extremely risky and we are fortunate that no-one was hurt.

"The sentencing today is a clear message to those offenders who believe that they can avoid detection by committing crimes in different forces - we are relentless in our pursuit of criminals involved in serious organised crime and there are no borders. We will work with other forces up and down the country to identify those involved in serious crime to ensure we can put them before the courts and behind bars. This case is an example of painstakingly piecing together of huge amounts of complex evidence, to bring people to justice.

"It was a thorough, extensive investigation by officers from TITAN, supported by officers in Scotland, Cheshire, Thames Valley, Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Suffolk. I would like to thank all of those involved in the investigative process and the Crown Prosecution Service, who have worked together to bring these men to justice."

"These men were driven by greed. They didn't think about the dangerous nature of what they were doing and the potential that they could cause serious and significant injuries to others through their recklessness.

"Serious organised crime seeks to undermine our safety and I am in no doubt that today's conviction will go a long way to making our communities and streets safer places to live and work."

Detective Superintendent Alex Dowall, who led the Police Scotland part of the investigation, said: "Today's sentencing marks the culmination of an extremely challenging and complex police investigation, working in collaboration with Titan - the North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit to bring these dangerous individuals to justice.

"This group of men ran an extremely intelligent and highly organised operation which involved planning their criminal behaviour in Liverpool before travelling throughout Scotland and England to carry out crass raids on ATMs. They employed evasive and complex tactics to avoid detection and put both the public and themselves in danger in the process.

"These individuals believed they were untouchable and they used dangerous tactics"

"This was an extremely time and resource-intensive case involving as many as 100 officers at any one time from across Police Scotland including the Specialist Crime Division, local policing North East Division and Tayside Division, and the Operational Support Division including Authorised Firearms Officers, Air Support and Operational Support Units. We worked extremely closely and in collaboration with several forces in England where other attacks had taken place to maximise evidential opportunities and share intelligence which, ultimately, led to multiple arrests. This investigation was led nationally by our colleagues at Titan and is a prime example of working together to dismantle serious organised crime groups.

"The communities that were targeted by this group are safe places to live and not exposed to crimes of such a serious, dangerous and crude nature. The impact they had on the people who live within them cannot be underestimated and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your information, support and patience throughout.

"Serious organised crime seeks to undermine our safety and I am in no doubt that today's conviction will go a long way to making our communities and streets safer places to live and work."