£1.8 Million Wrecked in Bold Kent Cash Machine Raids
Thieves caused more than £1.8 million in damage and theft across six daring raids on supermarkets and petrol stations in Kent between November 2019 and March 2021. Using diggers to rip ATM machines from walls, the gang made off with huge cash hauls, leaving destruction in their wake.
DNA Breakthrough Leads to Arrests
Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate tracked down suspects Anthony Pemberthy, 44, and Stephen Davenport, 61, using cutting-edge DNA tracing. Both men admitted burglary charges in November 2022 ahead of their Maidstone Crown Court trial.
Sentences were handed down on 10 November: Pemberthy got eight years and nine months, while Davenport received seven years and five months behind bars.
Shocking Details of Each Heist
- Nov 2019: The gang struck a Co-op in Cranbrook, smashing up the store to grab almost £30,000. Police later found the stolen pickup and cash machine in Marden.
- Jan 2020: Next up was an Esso petrol station in Staplehurst, where £20,000 was stolen and £80,000 worth of damage done.
- Mar 2020: At Tesco Extra, Whitfield, Dover, armed with diggers, they ripped out two ATMs, stole more than £200,000, and rammed police cars in a dramatic escape.
- Jan-Feb 2021: Two failed digs hit Morrisons in Northfleet and Tesco Express in Dymchurch, causing severe damage but no cash haul.
- Mar 2021: Finally, cash worth around £50,000 was stolen from Shell Lychgate petrol station near Dargate.
High-Tech Policing Cracks the Case
Experts used DNA to place Davenport behind the wheel of getaway trucks and Pemberthy controlling the diggers at multiple raids. They were also caught travelling in a stolen Range Rover convoy tied to the group.
Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Greenstreet blasted the criminals: “These men didn’t care about the damage or harm they caused. Today’s sentences show Kent Police will hunt anyone targeting local businesses, no matter what.”
Kent Police Awarded for Crime-Busting Efforts
In June, Kent Police received the NPCC Police Partnership Initiative Award at the British Security Awards for their pioneering 2021 project helping businesses assess ATM risks and improve safety. This work is now helping protect staff and customers across the county.
