ATM Raid Gang Busted and Jailed for Nearly 30 Years
Four men have been locked up after a string of brazen ATM raids across Northern England and North Wales. Liverpool Crown Court handed down hefty sentences to the gang who stole over half a million pounds in cash and left a trail of wrecked shops.
Sentences for the Gang
- Lee Leatherbarrow, 33, St Helens – 7 years 6 months
- Crimea Price, 32, Newton-Le-Willows – 8 years
- Arthur Gaskin, 35, no fixed address – 7 years 6 months
- John Price, 27, Burslem – 6 years
All four pleaded guilty earlier, clearing the way for lengthy jail terms.
19 ATM Heists, £500,000 Stolen
The court heard the gang hit 19 separate supermarkets with standalone ATMs between March and July 2022, stealing an estimated £500,000 in cash. But the cost to businesses was far higher, with shop damage and dozens of stolen vehicles pushing losses towards £1 million.
Police Chase and Final Arrest
Cheshire police launched Operation Hades after an attack at a Warrington store where officers were rammed by the thieves escaping at speed. The gang used stolen BMWs and a Volkswagen Golf, swapped cloned number plates and dropped phones to avoid being tracked.
Their run ended in a high-speed pursuit in Leicestershire, reaching 90mph in a 30mph zone. The crooks hurled bricks and a fire extinguisher at officers trying to stop them. A tactical stop finally brought the chase to a close, and Price and Gaskin were arrested inside the getaway car, loaded with stolen goods and weapons.
Leatherbarrow was nabbed later during a raid in St Helens. All four were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
Detective Inspector Nick Henderson said, “This gang caused chaos, stealing over £500,000 but wreaking damage worth around £1 million. Their selfish crimes ruined businesses and disrupted communities. Despite their attempts to cover their tracks, our officers were always one step ahead. They will now pay the price with a combined 29 years behind bars.”
