£1.8 Million Hit in Brazen Cash Machine Thefts Across Kent
Two burglars caused over £1.8 million damage to supermarkets and service stations in Kent between 2019 and 2021. Armed with diggers and pick-up trucks, they smashed through walls to steal cash machines and grab thousands in cash.
Masterminds Caught Using Cutting-Edge DNA Tech
Anthony Pemberthy, 44, and Stephen Davenport, 61, were arrested by Kent and Essex’s Serious Crime Directorate after pioneering DNA tracing linked them to six major raids.
Both men admitted burglary ahead of trial and were jailed in November 2022. Pemberthy got eight years and nine months, while Davenport received seven years and five months behind bars.
Damage and Theft on a Grand Scale
- Nov 2019: £30,000 stolen and severe damage at Co-op, Cranbrook High Street. Police recovered stolen truck and cash machine in Marden.
- Jan 2020: £20,000 cash taken and £80,000 damage at Esso petrol station, Staplehurst.
- March 2020: Over £200,000 stolen from Tesco Extra, Whitfield, near Dover. Offenders rammed police vehicles fleeing the scene.
- Jan & Feb 2021: Failed theft attempts at Morrisons, Northfleet, and Tesco Express, Dymchurch, causing heavy damage.
- Mar 2021: £50,000 stolen from Shell Lychgate petrol station near Dargate.
The criminals were caught driving stolen vehicles and using diggers to rip cash machines from walls. Police confirmed Davenport operated the pick-up trucks while Pemberthy controlled the diggers during multiple raids.
Kent Police Crack Down on Cash Machine Crime
“Kent Police will track you down and bring you to justice, whatever lengths we have to go to,”
— Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Greenstreet
DCI Greenstreet praised businesses and partner agencies for their help. He added that new safety measures are now in place, giving workers fresh reassurance.
This sentencing follows another similar case in Canterbury last year, showing a worrying trend in organised cash machine thefts in the region.
Earlier this year, Kent Police won the NPCC Police Partnership Initiative Award for their work assessing cash machine risks and advising businesses on security.
Police warn: Criminals targeting Kent businesses beware—justice will catch up with you.
