THE METROPOLITAN Police have charged three men in connection with a series of offences across the south of England, including a ram raid in Emmer Green.
On Thursday, August 18, a group stole a Range Rover and drove to an Esso Tesco Express petrol station in Buckingham Drive.
At around 2.30am, they carried out a ram raid of the premises, with three men being detained by Metropolitan Police officers and a fourth man remaining outstanding.
The three men were found in possession of stolen cash boxes, tools, and weapons.
They were subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
Despite “speculation and concern around shots being fired”, police assured that no shots were fired during the incident.
On Friday, August 19, the three men were charged with a non-residential burglary on Thursday, August 18, in Reading and with conspiracy to commit burglary between November 2021 and August 2022.
The investigation was launched in response to a series of nighttime burglary offences committed by an organised criminal group.
Suspects used stolen vehicles to ‘ram raid’ commercial premises, and in total eight offences were committed between 14 November 2021 and 29 December 2021.
A further 8 offences were committed between 29 January 2022 and 10 August 2022.
PA Commander, Supt Steve Raffield, said: “The Metropolitan Police are leading this investigation, however I’m aware that there has been some speculation and concern around shots being fired.
“I’d like to reassure you that no shots were fired during the incident.
“I understand also that the police activity following the incident has caused some disruption to the local community and I would like to thank them for their patience whilst this important investigative work was being carried out.”
The three offenders will appear in custody at Isleworth Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 22.
