A masked man who carried out a series of terrifying knife-point robberies across Staffordshire has been found guilty following a detailed police investigation.
Patryk Slepowronski, 22, of uk/topic/marston-montgomery/">Marston Montgomery, Derbyshire, was convicted after pleading guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery at Stafford Crown Court on Friday 7 March. He is now remanded in custody awaiting sentencing.
Between November 2024 and January 2025, Slepowronski embarked on a violent crime spree, targeting convenience stores including Co-ops, Tesco Express, Morrisons, and One Stop locations in Upper Tean, Uttoxeter, Hixon, Stafford, and Bentilee.
Police said he entered stores armed with a knife, threatened terrified staff, and emptied tills of cash before fleeing. In several incidents, he also forced employees to open safes, adding to the trauma experienced by workers.
Breakthrough in the Case
Detectives from Staffordshire Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had been working tirelessly to identify the masked offender. A crucial breakthrough came when a DNA match was returned following a knifepoint robbery in Hixon on Christmas Eve (24 December). Slepowronski was arrested shortly after.
During a search of his property, officers recovered safe keys and cash linked to multiple robberies, further tying him to the crimes.
Over £7,000 Stolen in Total
Investigators estimate that Slepowronski stole around £7,000 in total, with each robbery leaving a trail of panic, distress, and fear among retail staff and customers.
A spokesperson from Staffordshire Police said:
“These violent offences caused immense fear and disruption. We’re proud of our CID team for their thorough work which led to this conviction. We hope it brings reassurance to the communities affected.”
Sentencing Awaited
Slepowronski will be sentenced at a later date. Police have praised the courage of the store employees and the public who assisted in the investigation.
This case highlights the importance of DNA evidence, community reporting, and coordinated investigative work, all of which helped bring a dangerous offender to justice.
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