Burglars Jailed After Raiding Over 50 Convenience Stores
Written by HFM News on 8th September 2020
Three burglars who raided 52 supermarkets and convenience stores, including in Market Harborough and surrounding villages, been jailed for a total of more than 18 years.
The crime spree across five counties between January and May this year saw cigarettes worth nearly £300,000 stolen and over £100,000 worth of damage caused to premises they targeted.
The men, all from Northampton, broke into the Co-Op on Coventry Road in Market Harborough late on February 2nd and stole a large quantity of cigarettes.
They targeted Tesco on Market Hill in Riothwell four days later and the F Howkins Garage in North Kilworth, Walcote Service Station and the Co-Op and Tesco in Countesthorpe during March and April.
(left-right) Otis Barrett, Matthew Brown & Terrance Brown who were all jailed Pic: Northants Police
Otis William Barrett, 26, previously of Banbury Close, Northampton, Matthew Lawrence Brown, 30, previously of Crow Lane, Northampton, and Terrance Mark Brown, 25, previously of Glebeland Road, Northampton, all pleaded guilty to the 52 offences at Northampton Crown Court.
Their offending carried on throughout lockdown and finally, on May 1, 2020, they were caught by police after burgling Tesco Express in Coppice Drive, Northampton.
On sentencing, Judge Herbert stated they were “determined, professional and a serious calibre of criminal.”
Lead Investigator, DC Emma Howe, from Northamptonshire Police, said: “This commercial burglary series was undertaken by very organised, professional criminals, who stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of goods from commercial premises across the region.
“The Serious and Organised Crime Team have been working relentlessly in order to bring this group of criminals to justice and I’m really pleased that they have now been convicted of their crimes and sent to jail.
“This was a very long and difficult investigation that I am pleased has concluded with the right result. Countless commercial burglaries have been prevented as a result and I’m glad there has been justice for the victims of these 52 crimes who have had to pay the price for this trio’s destructive behaviour.”
