Reading, Staines, Aldershot and Poole ram-raid chaos shown in CCTV videos

CCTV captures the chaos caused as ram-raiders went on a spree across the south of England.

Four men have been jailed today for their involvement in the offences, in which they used stolen high end vehicles - mainly sports utility vehicles (SUV) such as Range Rovers and Land Rovers - to ram-raid commercial premises.

Often they would rip out cash machines or steal jewellery or cash boxes before driving off.

Number plates were stolen and placed on the vehicles to help the group avoid police detection.

The four men pleaded guilty to being involved in a combined total of 14 burglaries and 33 thefts, as well as three attempted burglaries and an attempted theft.

The offences were committed from November 14 2021 to August 19 2022 in north and west London, as well as Dorset, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

The estimated value of the thefts was more than £1.2 million and the damage caused to vehicles and property estimated at £1.8 million.

The loss of earnings to the business owners forced to shut for repairs totalled almost £1.5 million.

Four ram-raiders convicted

Three of the four men were arrested by Met officers after an operation caught them stealing cash boxes from an Esso petrol station and Tesco Express outlet in Buckingham Drive, Reading.

In the early hours of August 19, the group used a Range Rover, stolen in the Reading area to ram into the shop and gain access. A stolen Alpha Romeo was also stopped at the scene.

The three men arrested were found to be in possession of stolen cashboxes and various tools and weapons. They were:

• William Connors, 29, of Exmouth Road, Hayes - jailed for six years and six months.
• Darren Eastaugh, 36, of Bedfont Close, Feltham - jailed for six years and six months.
• Anthony Rodwell, 33, of Laurel Gardens, Ashford, Surrey - jailed for five years and ten months.

The fourth man, Sebastian Gnyp, 37, of Allenby Road, Ealing, was arrested on September 23 last year. Following his arrest, Gynp's room was searched and a device used to block trackers in stolen cars was found. He was today jailed for three years.

The Met Police Flying Squad

Detective Constable Pippa Bregazzi, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “Footage of the burglaries demonstrates the ruthlessness in which the men used the cars as battering rams to access shops’ tills and cash machines.

“They had absolutely no thought for the victims of their crimes and it was clear they would have continued to target vehicle owners and shops across the south of England unless they were stopped.

“I am glad they have now been brought to justice and will spend a lengthy time in jail.”

Detective Inspector Ari Yoganathan, senior investigating officer from the Flying Squad, said: “This was an outstanding investigation by a team of detectives determined to arrest and bring to justice a group of men who had caused misery to vehicle and business owners across London and the home counties.

"Thankfully no members of the public were injured during any of these offences, but millions of pounds worth of damage and lost earnings were caused by this crime spree.

"Our officers collaborated with colleagues from other police forces and were supported by our partners in the vehicle industry to disrupt this dangerous and disruptive Organised Crime Group."

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