Blue BB Gun Bandit Busted After High Street Hold-Up
Daryl Cook stormed a High Street travel agent in Chatham armed with a blue BB gun and made off with a hefty stash of cash. The 36-year-old threatened staff before snatching the loot and legging it on foot.
Robbery and Theft Spree Uncovered
- On 12 February 2020, Cook, clad in a black tracksuit and purple gloves, entered the store around 3:50 pm.
- He forced three employees towards the currency exchange office, demanding access to a safe.
- When a time lock stopped him, he grabbed cash from a till instead, stuffing it into a carrier bag before fleeing.
- He was caught two weeks later after police found the BB gun and the same clothing from the crime at his home.
Serial Offender with a Growing Rap Sheet
Besides this brazen robbery, Cook pleaded guilty to:
- Four thefts from a Maidstone Road supermarket between December 2019 and January 2020, stealing over £700 in goods.
- Burglary of a premises in The Brook, Chatham, on 24 December 2019 (no items stolen).
- Possession of amphetamines.
- Stealing a DVD player on 18 December 2019 from another shop in Maidstone Road.
Police Praise Tough Jail Sentence
“Cook is a serial thief prepared to use violence to get money. Though his imitation firearm couldn’t fire live ammo, it could still do serious harm, leaving victims shaken,” said Detective Constable Richard Sears of Kent Police’s Crime Squad. “We’re glad justice has been served. If he hadn’t been arrested, there’s no doubt he would have kept targeting businesses across Medway. His imprisonment is a win for the local community.”
