Shocking video footage shows armed robbers making off with boxes of cash after assaulting delivery drivers employed to replenish ATM machines.
The axe-wielding masked men are seen threatening the drivers before making off with the cash box on three different occasions.
One terrifying robbery was captured on a van’s security camera as the driver tried to replenish an ATM machine.
Within seconds, two armed men dressed head to toe in black are seen making off with the cah box.
In another raid, two men are captured on camera charging into a convenience store armed with an axe before making off with bags and boxes of money.
The three men – who stole £260,000 from cash-in-transit delivery drivers before one of the gang gambled it all away – have now been jailed.
Paul Dunn, 34, Nathan Kennedy, 42, and Liam McCloy, 35, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.
Dunn was jailed for 14 years, Kennedy was sentenced to seven years in prison, while McCloy was given six years.
Greater Manchester Police say every robbery saw a guard attacked by the masked group with an axe.
The force said the gang tried to cover their tracks by using hire cars in their heists and wearing balaclavas.
But days after each robbery, money was deposited into Dunn’s and Kennedy’s bank account, leaving a paper trail and leading detectives straight to their doorsteps.
And the force said Dunn had gambled away the stolen cash with ‘little success’.
Dunn and Kennedy were held by cops last August when they executed warrants across Greater Manchester.
Officers uncovered multiple messages on Kennedy’s phone to Dunn and McCloy which fit the timeline of offences, while £1,000 was found hidden in his house.
McCloy was nicked when officers boarded a plane as it landed back in the UK after a family holiday.
Police said he tried to hide his phone, but it was recovered by officers who found phone numbers attributed to Kennedy and Dunn.
Further examination of his phone showed he’d tried to delete dozens of incriminating messages between them, a spokesman said.
Detective Inspector Rick Castley said: “This was a series of terrifying incidents that saw members of the public, who were simply doing their job, seriously assaulted by masked men armed with weapons and scared for their lives.
“Their robbery spree days are now over.”
Sarah Staff, director of the British Security Industry Association, added: “This series of robberies involved extreme violence against staff whilst they carried out ATM replenishments.
“The sentences received reflects the seriousness of this offending and on behalf of the industry I would thank all those involved in this investigation for their tireless work in apprehending those involved.”
