Police Sell ATM Raiders’ Luxury Items On Ebay

A gang who lived the high life after a series of cash machine raids across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire have had their cars, jewellery and other luxury goods sold by Police on eBay.

The trio stole more than £1.5m during the crime-wave during 2017, including blowing up ATMs  at the Co-Op in Kibworth and Lutterworth Post Office.

BMW and Mercedes cars worth an estimated £50,000 were seized and sold by Police, after a confiscation order was made by the Courts, plus designer clothing, China, jewellery, Rolex watches.

Pic: Leicestershire Police

The men, including Charlie Smith, formally of Mere Lane, Bitteswell, were jailed for more than 30 years in 2018 after using gas cylinders to blow the cash machines out of the wall.

Each has also had over £200,000 seized under the Proceeds Of Crime act.

Cash generated from the sales will be distributed between victims’ groups and further efforts by the police and courts to pursue organised crime gangs.

Paul Wenlock of the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU), said: “Our work doesn’t end at an individual’s conviction.  If there is evidence to suggest the defendant has gained financially from their criminality we can approach the courts for confiscation orders under the POCA.

“In the year 2018/9 we confiscated more than £330,000, in 2019/20 that figure has almost doubled. These figures are a testament to the hard work of members of the ECU team, their tenacity and attention to detail has led to us obtaining the orders and confiscating cash and assets.

“We will continue to use this legislation and ensure those who choose to take the path of criminality should not be allowed to benefit from their crimes.”