Holmes Chapel Man Jailed for Crewe Betting Shop Robbery After Threatening Staff with Fake Gun

CREWE, Cheshire — A Holmes Chapel man has been handed a 45-month prison sentence following a daring afternoon robbery at a betting shop in Crewe town centre, during which he claimed to be armed with a firearm.

Benjamin Hargreaves, 35, of Holmes Chapel, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, August 2, 2024, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to robbery, criminal damage, and possession of a Class B drug (cannabis).

The Robbery

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, April 18, 2024. At approximately 1:50 p.m., Hargreaves entered a betting shop located on Market Street in Crewe. Keeping one hand concealed beneath his jacket, he approached the counter and demanded cash from the staff, asserting that he was carrying a gun.

Fearing for their safety, the store employees complied with his demands and handed over £300 in cash from the till. Hargreaves then fled the premises with the stolen money.

The Arrest

Following the heist, Hargreaves booked a taxi in an attempt to escape the area. However, during the journey, he reportedly boasted to the driver that he had just robbed a local shop and claimed again to have a gun. The taxi driver subsequently alerted police.

Officers from Cheshire Police tracked the vehicle's movement and stopped the taxi on Middlewich Road in Sandbach. Hargreaves was arrested at the scene. Investigations later revealed that in the brief period between the robbery and his arrest, he had already spent a portion of the stolen £300 on alcohol and cigarettes. Police also discovered a quantity of cannabis in his possession, and he had caused minor damage inside the taxi during the ride.

Police Response

Speaking after the sentencing, Cheshire Police officers emphasized that business robberies are not victimless crimes and praised the quick actions of the retail staff and the taxi driver, which led to a swift arrest. The court sentenced Hargreaves to a total of three years and nine months (45 months) in prison.