A gang of thieves who stole nearly £700,000 from cash machines across the UK, including Somerset, have been sentenced after their boastful WhatsApp messages helped police track them down.
Over the course of nearly a year, the group targeted ATMs nine times using specialized tools such as angle grinders and the jaws of life. They executed their heists with precision, arriving in stolen high-performance cars equipped with multiple fake number plates to avoid detection.
Their confidence in avoiding arrest was clear, as the gang exchanged WhatsApp messages and voice recordings claiming the police had no evidence against them, declaring, “we’re not stupid.”
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The raids spanned several regions including West Mercia, Leicestershire, Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, and Staffordshire. Using a flatbed truck, they transported stolen vehicles between areas to aid their operations.
Their downfall came in August 2024, when the gang booked two holiday lets in Cumbria to serve as a base during a spree of three consecutive attacks, netting over £128,000. Their getaway vehicle, a stolen Audi, was spotted by a police officer being transported on a low loader back toward the Midlands. The vehicle transporter was stopped, resulting in the arrest of driver Daniel Hickenbottom.
A comprehensive police investigation followed, utilizing CCTV footage, mobile phone records, WhatsApp voice notes, and forensic evidence such as fingerprints and DNA to identify all members.
Noel Reilly, Craig Howell, and Simon Pagett orchestrated and executed the break-ins, purchasing specific clothing and utilizing stolen cars loaded with specialized cutting equipment. Oliver Matthews owned a vehicle respray workshop where the gang stored stolen cars and coordinated their operations. Matthews also aided in transportation after crimes were committed.
Convicted last year and sentenced in October, their punishments have now been made public. Craig Howell, 44, of Wolverhampton, received 10 years for conspiracy to burgle, handling stolen goods, and possessing criminal property. Noel Reilly, 46, of Bromsgrove, and Simon Pagett, 43, of Bloxwich, were each sentenced to eight years and six months for the same charges. Oliver Matthews, 39, of Featherstone, was jailed for 40 months, while Daniel Hickenbottom, 38, of Bloxwich, received three years and nine months.
All defendants pleaded guilty to their crimes.
Detective Sergeant Tom Frenchum of West Midlands Police stated: “The gang’s operations required meticulous planning and a high degree of sophistication. However, our dedicated detectives worked tirelessly to dismantle their network and secure their imprisonment. Each member played a vital role—some executed the ATM attacks, while others managed the logistics of transporting stolen vehicles and equipment.”