Two bungling burglars who repeatedly rammed a supermarket in a bid to steal an ATM have been jailed – after fleeing empty-handed and crashing into a police car.
Tjay O’Neil, 35, and Dean Smith, 33, targeted a Morrisons store shortly after 6:30 am on September 15.
CCTV captured their lime green Volkswagen Crafter repeatedly smashing into the building in a desperate attempt to get the cash machine.
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The pair, wearing face coverings, managed to damage the ATM and break it open before entering the store in Carlisle.
But their attempted heist ended in failure, with the men leaving without taking any money.
The raid caused substantial damage, with bricks and debris scattered across the ground and the ATM badly damaged. Trading was temporarily halted and the building evacuated.
The pair’s getaway proved even more chaotic, as reported by Need To Know.
At 10:37 am, the Crafter failed to stop for police on the M6 southbound towards the English border.
Cumbria Police officers attempted to intercept the vehicle between junctions 45 and 44, but Smith accelerated, colliding with two other vehicles before crashing into a police car.
He then repeatedly rammed the police vehicle from behind.
Smith was arrested and failed a breath test, recording almost three times the legal drink-drive limit.
O’Neil, a convicted robber who was on licence at the time, was also caught out by his electronic monitoring tag, which placed him at the supermarket during the raid.
The pair were arrested, charged and brought before magistrates the following day, with their case progressing rapidly through the courts.
At Carlisle Crown Court on October 14, Smith and O’Neil were sentenced for the bungled burglary.
The court was told the court how the pair had made repeated attempts to smash their way into the ATM.
Mark Shepherd, mitigating for Smith, said: “This was not Brink’s-Mat, Hatton Garden or the Millennium Star.
“It is perhaps a contender for the least impressive heist in criminal history.
“It was clearly ill-thought-out and unsophisticated in the circumstances.”
Andrew Gurney, for O’Neil, said his client’s life had been blighted by alcohol and drug addiction.
“He attempted to make a withdrawal,” Gurney said.
“He did literally hit a brick wall in relation to this case.”
Judge Nicholas Barker told the defendants their intention had been to cause significant damage and escape with large amounts of cash.
Smith admitted burglary with intent to steal, criminal damage, drink-driving and dangerous driving. He was jailed for 33 months and must also serve a two-year driving ban when released.
O’Neil admitted burglary with intent to steal and criminal damage. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
After sentencing, Detective Inspector Lee Brumpton, of Cumberland CID, said the swift investigation showed the determination of officers to bring offenders to justice.
He said: “Within 36 hours of this incident, both men had been arrested, charged, and had appeared before the courts.
“That speed was made possible in part by members of the public who came forward with vital information. I would like to thank everyone who assisted our investigation.
“Attempting to steal an ATM in this way is a serious offence, and we will act decisively to identify those responsible, gather the evidence and ensure they face justice.”
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