A PAIR of Castle Vale men charged with robbery and possessing a knife in a public place appeared before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court today (October 14).
Paul Bartlett, 47, of Kemble Drive, and Adam Breen, 26, of Bovington Road, were arrested on Monday (October 12) after a spate of convenience store robberies in Sutton Coldfield over the weekend.
The unemployed duo stole cash and alcohol from One Stop, on Rectory Road, on Friday (October 9) and threatened staff with knives before making their escape in a red Kia Rio.
The following day, they targeted a Select and Save store, on Calder Drive in Walmley, just before midday.
Once again the two men threatened staff with knives and stole cash, alcohol and cigarettes. There were customers in the shop as well as staff who witnessed the incident and described the same getaway car.
On Sunday (October 11) the pair raided a One Stop on Rectory Road about 9pm and took cash and goods.
The getaway car, which was stolen earlier last week from the Castle Vale area, has been recovered and is currently undergoing forensic examination.
Det Insp Tom Hadley, from the Birmingham north local policing unit, said: “I understand the impact these robberies have had on the local community and I would like to reassure residents and businesses in the area we are not complacent just because we have charged two men.
“We have increased patrols in the area and I would encourage anyone to stop and chat to officers if they are at all concerned.”
