Aaron Folan, 40, of Exeter Close, Southampton, was sentenced to 5 years and 1 month in prison at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, 13 January.
He previously pleaded guilty to robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of Class A drug possession, and two counts of shoplifting.
The robbery occurred at 11:50 a.m. on October 12, 2020. A G4S driver was returning to his van in the car park after picking up a cashbox containing £17,500 from McDonalds in Swaythling when he was pushed to the ground and kicked by Folan.
He then took the cashbox and ran to a nearby white Transit van parked at a bus stop on Burgess Road before fleeing the scene.
Because of the protective gear he was wearing, the driver only received minor graze injuries. The funds were not recovered.
Officers conducted an investigation and arrested Folan on December 17, 2020, at an address in Hill Lane.
A quantity of Class A drugs was discovered in a toilet bowl in the bathroom, and wraps containing additional Class A drugs were discovered on Folan when he was apprehended.
The vehicle theft occurred on December 18, 2021. Folan broke into Hollybrook Car Centre in Hill Lane, Southampton, around 7.30 a.m. and stole a Volvo.
Shortly after, the owner of the car dealership was contacted on social media, stating that the Volvo was parked on Wavell Road in Bitterne and that the vehicle had been recovered to a safe location.
Folan was linked to the car by DNA swabs taken from the steering wheel.
Folan stole two crates of beer from Tesco Express in West End Road on October 8, 2022, and Lego box sets worth £339.97 from John Lewis in West Quay on December 14, last year.
Folan’s crime spree has come to an end now that he is behind bars,” said a spokesman for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Robbery is a serious crime, and we all know the impact that vehicle theft has on the community. I hope this outcome demonstrates the lengths we will go to ensure those responsible face justice.
“Please continue to report incidents to us so that we can investigate and apprehend other robbers and thieves.”
Call us at 101, submit an online report through our website, or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
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