Axe-wielding offender jailed following two armed robberies in Crewe
An axe-wielding man who robbed two convenience stores in Crewe last year, has been jailed for seven years.
Karl Manley, of no fixed abode, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 29 August where he was sentenced.
The 46-year-old had been found guilty of two counts of robbery.
Shortly before 9.30pm on Sunday 18 February, 2024, police received a panic alarm activation from Morrisons Daily on Gainsborough Road.
Staff stated that two men entered the store, one armed with an axe, and demanded money from the till, along with cigarettes and tobacco, before leaving the premises.
They made off with between £200 and £300 in cash.
The offender who was holding the axe touched a number of cigarette trays while trying to empty them. A glove mark was located on these and forensics were able to extract a DNA profile, which later linked to Manley.
Just one week later, while the forensics results were still pending, two men targeted the Morrisons Daily store in West Street.
One man entered the store wearing a balaclava and was holding a wooden bat while another remained at the door. A staff member pressed a panic button when one of the men entered the till area and took approximately £225.
Forensics were recovered from the scene, and a mixed profile was obtained which contained Manley's DNA.
Enquiries revealed a man wearing the same clothing as one of the robbers had stolen items from the same store a few hours earlier and was recognised on CCTV images as Manley, providing a further link between him and the incident.
He was subsequently arrested and charged.
Detective Constable, Ben Harrington, said: "I welcome the sentence handed to Manley who tried to deny his part in both robberies but was ultimately found guilty thanks to the evidence against him.
"I also hope the lengthy sentence will reassure the businesses in the area of how seriously we take incidents of this nature.
"Anyone with any information in relation to the second suspect believed to be involved in these incidents should contact us through 101 or our website."
READ MORE: Sainsbury's to open store at new commercial development on outskirts of Crewe.
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