Three dads who took £40,000 from seven shops in one month are jailed

Three dads involved in organised crime have been put behind bars after a string of burglaries. The gang took nearly £40,000 in cash after raiding seven convenience stores in the space of just over a month.

Anthony Carroll, Anthony Hollywood and Daniel Kelly - were today (August 8, 2022) locked up over their respective roles in the operation, the Echo reported. The Liverpool-based organised crime group targeted Co-op shops across the north west, arming themselves with "heavy duty" tools and breaking in after the premises had closed for the day.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this morning, that the crime spree would see the burglars force the shutters of stores open before stealing cash from the safe.

Read more: Prosecutor sets out case as Ryan Giggs stands trial accused of offences against former partner - latest updates from court

The first came at the Co-op on Knutsford Road in Latchford, Warrington, at around 10.30pm on February 10. Two men with a crowbar entered the building while another remained outside and stole £7,480.

The following day saw a branch in Southport targeted at 11.15pm, with just over £6,500 taken. A shop in Runcorn was then raided to the tune of £3,185 before two attacks on Valentine's Day. One incident in Salford saw more than £10,000 taken shortly before midnight on February 14.

Then, at around 1.30am, the offenders travelled to a convenience store in Hoylake and pinched £6,500. Later that same day, Hollywood was stopped by police and arrested.

Officers subsequently discovered £6,900 in cash in his bedroom, while clothing recovered matched that worn by an offender seen on CCTV footage. The raids continued on March 12 though, when a Co-op in Formby was burgled for £2,697 in cash at around 11pm.

The