Armed Petrol Station Robber Caged For Nine Years

A petrol station robber, who used a BB gun sprayed black to terrify cashiers during a £2,300 two-month spree, has been jailed for nine years.

Reece Whelan, 21, of Arnold Road, Northolt, Middlesex targeted seven north-west London stations

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to six counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery, plus seven counts of possessing an imitation firearm.

The court heard Whelan carried out a series of robberies at BP, Shell, Asda and Esso petrol stations in Ruislip, Northolt and Harrow between March 29 and May 18, last year.

Whelan armed himself with a BB gun, which had been sprayed black to make it look like a real handgun, and demanded money from staff.

During two of the robberies, Whelan used violence to steal cash by 'pistol-whipping' the cashiers with the gun after they initially refused to hand over money.

In total, Whelan stole £2,300 as a result of the six robberies.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad identified Whelan as the result of a proactive investigation, which linked him to the series of robberies.

Whelan was arrested at his home address on July 4 and a search of his bedroom resulted in the seizure of the BB gun used in the offences.

During the sixth offence, a piece of the gun had broken off and was recovered from the scene.

The BB gun recovered from Whelan's address had the same piece missing.

Detective Constable Alan Mears, of the Flying Squad, said: "Whelan is a violent criminal who used threats and violence to steal cash from petrol stations.

“He was committing offences at a rate of almost one a week so it was important he was caught as soon as possible."

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Hartley said: "Reece Whelan committed a series of extremely violent offences, causing utter terror to members of staff working at various petrol stations, who were faced with an armed man demanding cash.

“As a result of a diligent and painstaking investigation by the Flying Squad, a violent criminal has been brought to justice and sentenced to a lengthy period in jail."

Dates and locations of robberies:

1. Robbery at BP, Mandeville Road, Northolt on 29 March 2017 at 21:20hrs. Whelan demanded cash from the till. Total of £170 stolen.

2. Robbery at BP, Field End Road, Ruislip on 7 April 2017 at 05:55hrs. Whelan demanded cash from the till which was initially refused. He hit the cashier on the forehead with the firearm causing a small cut. Approximately £250 was stolen.

3. Robbery at BP, Victoria Road, Ruislip on 14 April 2017 at 20:24hrs. Whelan demanded money and stole £668.

4. Robbery at Shell, West End Road, Ruislip on 27 April 2017 at 21:16hrs. Whelan demanded money and stole £300.

5. Robbery at BP, Mandeville Road, Northolt on 9 May 2017 at 21:55hrs. Whelan stole £180 after demanding money from the till.

6. Attempted robbery at Esso, Alexandra Avenue, Harrow on 16 May 2017 at 23:02hrs. Whelan hit the cashier in the face with a firearm causing bruising to his head.

7. Robbery at Asda, Church Road, Northolt, 18 May 2017 at 18:35hrs. Whelan stole £738.