Crime
WATCH: BBC Crimewatch features horrific knife attacks by teenage gang on moped riders in Peterborough
An investigation into a series of violent moped robberies in Peterborough is due to appear on national television tomorrow morning (Thursday). The work of detectives from the force’s northern Acquisitive Crime Team (ACT) to catch a gang responsible for a spate of horrific attacks on delivery drivers in Peterborough will be highlighted on Crimewatch Live programme at 10am on BBC One.
In January last year, Tyler Eastabrook, 19, Harvey Carr, 18, and Weston Haylock, 18, armed with knives, stole motorcycles from delivery drivers, as well as stabbing one driver.
The lead detective in the case features on the show explaining how the premediated, planned attacks appeared like a bit of “fun” – with the trio “flaunting their crimes on social media and showing no remorse”.
Using police footage and dramatic reconstruction, Crimewatch Live will re-tell the story of how the detective’s determination to catch those responsible paid off.
Interviews with the officers and the brazen audacity of the criminals will all be revealed.
Crimewatch Live is broadcast on BBC One at 10am every weekday from 2 to 20 October. It is also available on BBC iPlayer for seven days.
Information about the investigation and sentencing can be found on the force’s website.
“Doing it for fun and games” – police investigation into moped robberies appears on Crimewatch Live
COURT REPORT
Three teenagers who went on a crime spree robbing Peterborough delivery drivers of their mopeds at knifepoint have been jailed.
Tyler Eastabrook, 19, Harvey Carr, 18, and Weston Haylock, 18, began their spree on the evening of 8 January this year when they surrounded a Domino’s delivery driver in Viersen Platz.
Stolen moped left to burn. Detective Constable Hannah Connolly, who investigated, said: “These were premeditated, planned attacks by this group who set out that night to target delivery drivers, all for what appeared to be a bit of ‘fun’ – flaunting their crimes on social media and showing no remorse.”
The victim was about to leave the Bridge Street store to make a delivery when Eastabrook and Haylock, both wearing balaclavas, blocked his path and pulled a knife to his chest before forcing him off the moped and getting on themselves.
They rode a short distance to pick Carr up and made off around town for a couple of hours before eventually abandoning the bike in West Town Park and setting it on fire.
The following evening the trio targeted a further four delivery drivers in the space of an hour-and-a-half, stabbing one of their victims in the leg with a large kitchen knife in order to steal his moped.
Aware of the multiple incidents which had happened in a short space of time, a police helicopter, road policing and firearms units were deployed to hunt the trio down.
They were spotted by the helicopter leaving a fuel station in Bretton Gate, heading back towards the city centre.
Social media posts showing the trio riding stolen bikes. Detective Constable Hannah Connolly, who investigated, said: “These were premeditated, planned attacks by this group who set out that night to target delivery drivers, all for what appeared to be a bit of ‘fun’ – flaunting their crimes on social media and showing no remorse.”
Knowing police were tracking them, the three went off-road, riding on residential footpaths between houses before trying to hide under a railway bridge near Thorpe Road.
The trio split up, with Haylock on foot and Carr and Eastabrook still riding the stolen mopeds and being pursued by police.
Carr abandoned the stolen bike he was riding near to his house in Angus Court, before running home and changing his clothing before police arrived to arrest him.
A short while later, Haylock walked up to the front of Carr’s home, unaware police were inside, and was also arrested.
Eastabrook continued to ride dangerously through town, before dumping the moped in the River Nene and evaded arrest that night but was found in Carr’s loft in Angus Court the following morning, where he was arrested.
Text messages found on Carr’s mobile phone read “U should go to town somewhere g”, “There’s guys on delivery peds all the time jus boot them off”, “Or rob a taxi driver or suttin”.
Several videos recovered from their mobile phones showed the group riding the stolen mopeds throughout Peterborough during the robbery spree, including while trying to get away from a police car.
The trio appeared at Peterborough Crown Court for sentencing after previously admitting conspiracy to commit robbery.
Eastabrook, of no fixed address, was jailed for six-and-a-half years, while Carr, of Angus Court, West Town, was jailed for three years and two months, and Haylock, of High Street, Fletton, jailed for two years and ten months.
Detective Constable Hannah Connolly, who investigated, said: “These were premeditated, planned attacks by this group who set out that night to target delivery drivers, all for what appeared to be a bit of ‘fun’ – flaunting their crimes on social media and showing no remorse.
“Understandably, these were frightening ordeals for all involved, which will no doubt have a lasting effect on them not only in their personal lives but their professional lives as delivery drivers.”
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