A HALL GREEN man who dragged a cash machine containing £100,000 from a shop in a stolen vehicle – ramming a police car – has been jailed for nearly five years.
Taron McAuley, 22, was part of a group who used two stolen Land Rovers to steal an ATM machine from One Mobile on Edward Street, Balsall Heath, at around 11pm on Thursday, March 1.
The thieves tied a strap around the free-standing cash machine and dragged it out of the shop using the stolen cars.
The gang fled the scene but the cash machine came loose and was left lying in the road.
Police say they found this and the stolen cars in Goodby Road, Moseley, after which they pursued the group.
One of the cars, driven by McAuley, reversed and rammed two police cars before hitting a lamppost on Shutlock Lane.
He ran off from the car and hid from officers but was found shortly after and arrested.
McAuley, of York Road, Hall Green, pleaded guilty to burglary but pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods and driving dangerously.
Despite this he was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to four years and eight months for all three offences at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, September 19.
Detective constable Louise Davies, from the force’s priorities team, said: “McAuley was part of a gang who used stolen high-powered cars who went to great lengths to try and get away with the stolen cash machine.
“His actions were reckless and put many others in danger as the road conditions that evening were treacherous.
“In his desperation to get away from armed officers he caused over £20,000 worth of damage to two of our armed response vehicles.”
