Armed robbers caught on CCTV

AN ARMED robber who was part of a gang that attacked security guards in a crowded shopping street in Leamington has admitted his part in the crime.

And security staff, the public and CCTV operators have been praised for their part in helping bring the criminal to justice.

Michael Sherlock, of Dora Road, Small Heath, was one of three men who attacked a security guard as he delivered bank notes to a cash point at Tesco in the Parade at 5.30pm on December 17.

The men had gone armed with weapons including a club, and had a getaway car, a black Renault Laguna, parked nearby.

But even as they carried out the robbery, supermarket security staff had alerted cctv operators using the towns retail radio system.

Operators quickly identified the illegally parked car, but the heist had already gone wrong. Sherlock was stopped by Tesco security guards and a member of the public and was arrested when police arrived.

The two other men sped away in the Laguna, but CCTV operators tracked the car as it drove up the Parade, directing police cars arriving from Leek Wootton.

The thieves abandoned the Renault in Beauchamp Avenue, where four people were seen making off from the car. Police sniffer dogs later found the cash box intact near Holy Trinity church.

Appearing at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday, Sherlock, 35, pleaded guilty to robbing the guard, and Judge Charles Harris remanded him in custody while a pre-sentence report is prepared.

Det Insp Liam Barry said: “This was an extremely serious incident which could have resulted in members of the public and staff being seriously injured.

"Thanks to the quick thinking of staff at Tesco, the security company and members of the public, one person was detained at the scene. I would like to thank those people who assisted with this and for others who have given us their account of the incident."

The CCTV control room is run by Warwick District Council. Cllr Bernard Kirton, who is responsible for community safety, paid tribute to staff.

Cllr Kirton (Ind, Whitnash) said: "It underlines how important CCTV is. "The police would not have been there so quickly if it hadn’t been for the cctv operators. "It was a team effort in which everybody came together."

CCTV manager Graham Collis said: “On this occasion the system worked very well.

"The fact that the Tesco guard had the foresight to call us straight away was great."

"If we have eyes and ears on the ground we can track the images and get the police to the scene."

 

Source : The Lemington Courier 2011/01/07

 

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