Devon: Moment bungling burglars fail to drag cash machine from village shop with stolen truck

Moment bungling burglars fail to drag cash machine from village shop with stolen pick-up truck before making do with booze and e-cigarettes – as one is jailed while three remain on the run

  • Anthony Cahill, 35, was one of a quartet of masked crooks who swiped slings
  • Stole a pick-up truck and car from the forecourt of a dealership in Holsworthy 
  • Gangs effort to wrench an ATM free of a Co-op failed when a sling snapped
  • Cahill was jailed for four years when he admitted conspiracy to commit burglary

Anthony Cahill (pictured), 35, was one of a quartet of masked crooks

A crime gang member has been jailed for four years after travelling from Liverpool to go on an early hours stealing spree involving ram-raiding a Cornish village shop. 

Anthony Cahill, 35, was one of a quartet of masked crooks who swiped heavy-duty slings from a crane hire business in Barnstaple, North Devon, and then a pick-up truck and car from the forecourt of a dealership in Holsworthy. 

They headed to Kilkhampton, near Bude, and smashed the 4×4 Ford Ranger into the doors of a Co-Op. 

CCTV footage caught the moment they pinched a booze and vaping kit after their efforts to wrench the ATM free using the slings and the pick-up truck failed. 

They caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage to the business before fleeing in the stolen vehicles.

Cahill, of Kirby in Liverpool, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary and was yesterday sentenced to four years in prison by judge Simon Carr at Truro Crown Court.

CCTV footage caught the moment they pinched a booze and vaping kit after their efforts to wrench the ATM free using the slings and the pick-up truck failed

CCTV footage caught the moment they pinched a booze and vaping kit after their efforts to wrench the ATM free using the slings and the pick-up truck failed

His three accomplices remain at large and detectives are appealing for information that could help bring them to justice.

The court heard Cahill was one of a criminal quartet who travelled from Liverpool to Devon to embark on the well-planned burglary spree in the early hours of June 28, 2019.

They first broke into a crane hire company’s compound on the Roundswell industrial estate in Barnstaple and took several heavy-duty slings that were locked away on the site.

The gang then made their way to a car dealership on the outskirts of Holsworthy, gained entry to its garage and took the keys to a Ford Ranger pick-up and a VW Golf.

They drove the pick-up truck through the front doors of the village's Co-Op before tying the stolen slings to the cashpoint and the Ford Ranger's rear bumper

They drove the pick-up truck through the front doors of the village’s Co-Op before tying the stolen slings to the cashpoint and the Ford Ranger’s rear bumper

After stealing the vehicles from the forecourt, they returned on foot with power tools and tried in vain to crack the business’s safe.

Police were alerted to the noise at around 2.50am but the offenders evaded officers and headed to Kilkhampton.

They drove the pick-up truck through the front doors of the village’s Co-Op before tying the stolen slings to the cashpoint and the Ford Ranger’s rear bumper.

However, their efforts to drive the 4×4 off and dislodge the bolted-down ATM failed when one of the slings snapped.

The gang then tried to raid the store’s tills and cigarette counter before fleeing with a limited haul of stock.

The gang then tried to raid the store's tills and cigarette counter before fleeing with a limited haul of stock

The gang then tried to raid the store’s tills and cigarette counter before fleeing with a limited haul of stock

They abandoned the Ford Ranger on the outskirts of Kilkhampton and made their way back to Liverpool.

Detectives quickly linked all three burglaries and, through CCTV, forensics and the recovery of items, were able to identify potential suspects.

Cahill was located and arrested in Liverpool and initially denied all knowledge of the crimes when interviewed.

Three other suspects were arrested in connection with the burglaries but were released without charge.

Their efforts to drive the 4x4 off and dislodge the bolted-down ATM failed when one of the slings snapped

Their efforts to drive the 4×4 off and dislodge the bolted-down ATM failed when one of the slings snapped

Detective Constable Andrew Colley said: ‘This was clearly a well-organised and maliciously-planned crime.

‘The culprits researched the locations and the layout of each, identifying what they needed in order to remove the ATM from Kilkhampton, and took various precautions to avoid detection and identification.

‘The group caused significant losses and disruption to a local business. I would like to take this opportunity to reach out to anyone who may hold vital information in bringing the remaining three suspects to justice. 

‘Devon and Cornwall Police will always deal robustly with those who mistakenly believe that our area is an easy target for such offending.’