Two Burglars Caught Red-Handed Hiding in Greggs Roof After Sunderland Break-In
Bakers’ Safe Targeted in Late-Night Raid
Two brazen burglars, Gavin Newton, 41, and Andrew Pickering, 45, have been locked up after breaking into a Greggs bakery in Sunderland last month. The crooks smashed through the ceiling of the Pallion store shortly after 11:30pm on October 25, leaving behind signs of their desperate heist: a discarded hammer and grinder.
Hiding in Roof Space Didn’t Save Them
Police investigating the damage climbed through a hole in the ceiling – only to hear male voices coming from the roof above. The pair had attempted to hide in the loft to avoid capture, but cops quickly found them. Newton and Pickering were arrested on the spot, though Pickering cheekily tried to give false details while in custody.
Justice Served: Long Jail Terms for the Duo
- Newton, currently homeless, was sentenced to 16 months in Newcastle Crown Court on November 23.
- Pickering, from Marx Crescent, South Stanley, was handed two years for burglary and perverting the course of justice on November 24.
Police Praise Public and Officers for Swift Arrest
“This was a brazen crime that saw two offenders break into a business premises and try to steal money from the store’s safe,” said Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Robson of Northumbria Police.
“A member of the public heard the disturbance and called us, helping uncover their obvious hide-out in the roof.”
“Pickering even had the audacity to give false details, despite overwhelming evidence against him.”
“Thanks to the public and our officers, these criminals are now off our streets,” Robson added. “We will continue to act swiftly against burglars and reassure businesses across the North-east.”
