Footage Shows Gang Smash Into ATMs But Fail To Steal Anything

The four men carried out a string of botched raids across Birmingham resulting in thousands of pounds worth of damage.

When one of the men was caught, he threatened that he would give the arresting officers Covid-19 before spitting at them.

The gang carried out their first raid back in October 2018 after stealing a van and driving into the side of a Nationwide building society.

The crooks then used a second van to try and take the cash machine away, but failed miserably and ended up fleeing the scene in a car.

The second attempt took place in March the following year, when they tied straps to a cashpoint at a Lloyds Bank but, again, they ended up fleeing the scene empty-handed when police arrived.

Just 11 days later, another stolen van was used in a third failed attempt to steal an ATM outside a shop; while on 10 May a van rammed into the side of a post office.

Seemingly undeterred by their previous failures, on 8 August 2019 the gang used two stolen vans and an Audi to ram another post office.

When police arrived on the scene, one of the men threw a hammer at cops and sped off in the Audi.

But police uncovered mobile phone and car evidence that linked the men to the crime and they have now been jailed.

Chad Lee, 30, of Erdington, Birmingham, was jailed for 10 years and two months for drugs offences, burglary and assaulting an emergency worker, by spitting and coughing and claiming he had Covid during his arrest.

Corey Jones, 30, of Erdington, was jailed for five years and three months.

Ishmael Farquharson, 30, of Yardley, Birmingham, was given three years and two months.

The fourth man, Reece Proffitt, 24, of Erdington, received a six year sentence for drugs offences and burglary.

Detective Constable Max Gebhard, of West Midlands Police, said: "This gang caused thousands of pounds of damage and major disruption for businesses around Birmingham, with no regard for the safety of anyone around at the time.

"They were willing to use violence when confronted by officers, and thankfully they're now behind bars for a considerable amount of time."