DNA Surge Helps Identify ATM Gas Attack Gang

A Manchester gang that netted more than £400k via a series of ATM gas attacks, has been arrested as they prepared to attack a Post Office in Oldham. 

Just one week earlier (9th February), the gang successfully attacked a Post Office at Heaton Moor, Stockport. However, on this occasion, a hi-tech marking product was activated, spraying members of the gang with a unique DNA code that stayed on their clothing and allowed them to be later identified and linked to the crime by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

SelectaDNA Surge is a forensic liquid solution for use inside ATMs to protect against gas attacks that result in cash machines being blown apart and cash stolen. Used in conjunction with warning signs, SelectaDNA Surge is an excellent deterrent as it links criminals to the crimes they carry out. 

On 15th February, a stolen car pulled up outside the Post Office on Lees Road in Oldham. One of the gang got out and moved towards the cash machine and started attacking it. Within seconds, the men were pinned to the ground by armed police who had been tracking them. It was the 15th time they had set out to blow up an ATM but finally their spree was over. By piping gas into the machines then igniting it to cause an explosion, they had netted £418,500.

Following the interception by GMP,gang members Lewis Murkin (33), Philip Clarke (32), Ryan Wilson (31), and Michael Cash (30), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property and conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal; and Martin Goldstraw (43) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.

James Brown, MD of Selectamark, the security company which produces SelectaDNA Surge said: “This is a brilliant result. By using our Surge solution in the Post Office ATM at Heaton Moor, clothing and bank notes were able to be positively identified after DNA analysis which linked the gang back to their crime scene.”

The gang's prolific nature (they had planned 15 heists in a year), meant opportunities for police to gather intelligence were numerous. Police scanned CCTV, looking for offenders in similar clothing in different incidents. They examined the roles they played, the cars they used. Detectives also trawled telephone data after mapping raids.

Sgt Rick Castley, of GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: "When they were arrested, they had gas canisters in the back of the car and all the cutting equipment. We had a surveillance operation, we were behind them that day. It was clear what they were going to do."

Operation Cass was launched by GMP following a spike in ATM offences in mid-2018. "It is quite unique, people blowing up ATMs," Sgt Castley said. "There are not many people with the expertise or knowledge. You are only looking at one or two teams doing it in the region. By the nature of the methods used, we identified 14 offences as being linked.” 

During the final operation, the gang was busted. They now face lengthy jail terms and will be sentenced on 28th October.