Bungling ram-raider targeted empty games-console boxes during Leeds shop burglary
A bungling ram-raider targeting valuable games consoles fled a toy shop empty handed after finding all of the boxes were empty.
Inept William Lock was part of a three-strong team of thieves who used a car to smash their way into a Smyths Toy Superstore in Leeds.
But the carefully-executed plans was foiled when Lock, purposely targeting the gaming area for high-end goods, discovered all the boxes were for display only.
Lock, 28, who has a long history of offending, admitted a charge of non-dwelling burglary at Leeds Crown Court.
Prosecutor Jessica Lister said a security guard at Crown Point Shopping Park had noticed three cars entering the car park at 9.30pm on January 17.
This was despite all the shops being closed. The cars had also bypassed the barriers at the park’s entrance that were in place.
Watching the drama unfold on CCTV, the security worker rang the police.
The Audi, Skoda and Vauxhall all pulled up outside Smyths and three men got out all wearing balaclavas.
Two of them set up a makeshift battering ram, laid it outside the door of the shop, before the Vauxhall was reversed at speed into the ram.
It smashed through the window and front entrance to the shop, causing up to £5,000 of damage.
Lock then climbed through the smashed front, went straight upstairs to the games consoles, only to realise his error.
However, by this time the police had arrived. The other two burglars drove off with the boots open which they had opened in anticipation of stealing valuable gaming items.
The officers were able to grab Lock who told one officer: “Not you again.”
Ms Lister said that the officer had arrested Lock before. Lock also asked them how they got there so quickly.
Lock, of Coal Hill Fold, Rodley, gave a no-comment interview at the police station. The other two culprits were never identified having successfully got away.
Lock has 11 previous convictions for 27 offences, including burglaries, thefts, firearms and violence.
He appeared in court over a video link from HMP Doncaster, having been recalled from his last conviction.
Mitigating, Esther Bukoye said Lock admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity.
She said he had been doing well out of prison, and had got work, but succumbed to a “moment of weakness” after being asked to take part in the robbery.
She said he “deeply regrets” his actions and added: “He maintains he was not the mastermind of this. He is disappointed with himself.
“He has essentially found himself back at square one.”
The judge, Recorder Mark McKone KC said the break-in was a “very serious example of a commercial burglary”.
He added: “This is far too serious to avoid a sentence of immediate prison.”
He jailed him for 32 months.