Armed raiders face lengthy jail terms after gang hit 23 stores
Two men who were part of an armed gang that raided more than 20 convenience stores across the Black Country during a terrifying three-month crime spree were today facing lengthy jail sentences.
Michael Scanlon and Gavin Reilly were part of a group of raiders who struck at stores in Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire.
They terrorised staff, wearing balaclavas and wielding crow bars, axes and hammers.
Scanlon, of Rocket Pool Drive, Bilston, and Reilly, formerly of Tipton Road, Sedgley, repeatedly denied a single charge each of conspiracy with others to rob a total of 23 shops throughout their trial.
But a jury took less than two hours to convict the pair, both 34. Alan Brookes had already pleaded guilty to his part in one of the robberies and jailed earlier this year.
The gang's reign of terror lasted between September 27, 2013, and January 4.
So brazen were the mob they carried out several raids a day.
One such occasion was on November 2, where the gang hit both the Shell petrol station in Sedgley Road, Woodsetton, Dudley, and the Londis store in Tipton High Street.
They would nearly always use a stolen Vauxhall car and strike late at night when staffing was low.
They would head for the cigarette counter, grab as many cigarettes as they could and pile them into a huge bag.
The net soon closed in on the gang, however. During a raid at Coseley Convenience Stores in Ettingshall Road, Bilston, a put up a fight against the gang and Reilly left behind his mobile phone.
Their getaway car, a Vauxhall Astra, was abandoned in Ambleside Close, Bradley, Bilston - this time
However, they made another crucial error, leaving a balaclava in the car, which was found to contain Reilly's DNA.
Other accomplices have not been found.
Speaking after the trial investigating officer Dc Ryan Matthews said: "It is very satisfying that the jury have convicted Scanlon and Reilly after such a long and detailed investigation. The pair continued to deny their involvement in the raids across the Black Country which saw a number staff at the various premises subjected to terrifying ordeals and threats of violence."
