Two men stole nearly £50k during a string of ATM thefts which involved blowing them up with explosives.
The pair used gas, fuel and in one case a petrol bomb to target eight machines across Essex and London – including one in Woodford Green.
As well as stealing tens of thousands they also caused around £15k in damage between the end of November 2019 and January 14 2020.
Detectives launched an investigation and through forensics, phone work and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras were able to link the pair to the crimes.
Warrants were executed in Wickford, Walton-on-the-Naze and Hornchurch and searches of vehicles also uncovered items linking the men.
They were arrested on January 16 2020.
Anthony Crowley, 37, of no fixed address, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of a Class A drug, handling stolen goods and failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order.
James Whitlock, 36, of Alfred Terrace in Walton-on-the-Naze, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, handling stolen goods and failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order.
They were sentenced to 14-and-a-half years and 15 years’ prison respectively at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, January 17.
Temporary detective superintendent Lee Morton, from the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: “Anthony Crowley and James Whitlock went to extreme lengths to steal money from cash machines.
“The methods they used posed a serious risk to the welfare of people living and working near the ATMs they targeted and it was fortunate no-one was injured.
“They stole tens of thousands of pounds and caused thousands of pounds of damage.”
He continued: “Their actions, driven by greed and their own financial gain, were reckless, even throwing a petrol bomb at one cash machine they had failed to get into.
“We carried out an exhaustive investigation which carefully pieced together evidence from various sources to build this case and I’m pleased we have been able to bring these men to justice.
“They will now face a significant amount of time behind bars as a result.”
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