THREE cash machine attacks in St Helens are among a series of similar crimes across England and Wales that are subject to a major police investigation.
The Star reported earlier this week that detectives investigating incidents across the country have charged four men, three of whom are from St Helens.
Four men charged
The men have all each been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery since they were arrested in the early hours of Thursday, July 7.
They are Arthur Gaskin, aged 35, of no fixed address but from St Helens area, Lee Leatherbarrow, aged 32, of Lascelles Street in Parr, St Helens, Luke Price, aged 32, of Southward Road in Haydock.
John Price, aged 27, of Boathorse Road in Burslem has also been charged.
READ: Crime scene in place after reports of ram raid at store
'19 attacks'
The charges relate to 19 attacks on cash machines between Saturday, March 12 2022 and Thursday, July 7, 2022 across Cheshire, Merseyside, Manchester, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Leicestershire.
Three in St Helens
Now police have confirmed that ATM attacks at the McColls store on Peckers Hill Road in Sutton Junction and the Morrisons Daily store on Sutton Park Drive in Sutton during March and at a business in Park Road South, Newton-le-Willows form part of the alleged conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery.
Police statement
In a statement Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray, from Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “The arrests are part of an investigation into approximately 19 attacks on cash machines that occurred between Saturday, March 12 2022 and Thursday, July 7 2022.
“Our investigation began after one of the cash machines was targeted on Longshaw Street in Warrington.
“The investigation remains ongoing but sends a clear message that we are relentless in our pursuit of catching individuals who we suspect of travelling to Cheshire, and to other parts of the country, for the purposes of committing serious and organised crime.”
The men appeared at Crewe Magistrates Court on Saturday, July 9 where they were remanded in custody and are next set to appear at Chester Crown Court on Monday, August 8.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here