Shocking and bizarre crimes reported to police in October

Here are eight such incidents from Warrington during October:

Gun seized in probe into targeted attack

A gun was seized in connection with a targeted attack after police raided a house in Latchford.

Officers executed a search warrant at the address on Henshall Avenue on October 1 and seized a converted Olympus firearm.

Billy McColl, of Henshall Avenue, was arrested at the scene – and the 19-year-old has since been charged with two counts of wounding, two charges of false imprisonment and possession of a firearm.

The raid was carried out as part of a Merseyside Police investigation into an incident in St Helens last month, during which two men were assaulted with ‘unknown weapons’ and suffered serious injuries to their bodies and legs.

Shawn O’Malley, of Withers Avenue in Orford, and David Scurfield, of Sherwood Crescent in Burtonwood – both aged 32 – were also previously charged in connection with the attack and are due to appear before Liverpool Crown Court next month.

Coronavirus fines

Several fines have been dished out by police for breaches of coronavirus restrictions.

An unnamed landlord of a pub in Warrington was handed a £1,000 penalty after social distancing rules were not adhered to on the premises.

A care worker at an old people’s home in the town was fined £200 for failing to self-isolate after a trip to Romania and continuing to go to work.

And another resident who did not isolate after a holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos was given a £1,000 penalty notice after leaving her home on several occasions during the 14 days following her return, including visits to the gym.

Lorryloads of whisky stolen

Three lorryloads of whisky were stolen during a burglary at a distribution centre.

XPO Logistics’ depot on Leacroft Road in Birchwood was targeted on the evening of Tuesday, October 20.

Cheshire Police confirmed that a ‘large quantity of alcohol’ was taken during the incident, with the vehicles involved later found abandoned in the Rochdale area.

Suspect held in Spain

A man from Warrington was arrested on the Costa del Sol as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into the ‘large scale’ supply of guns.

Robert Brazendale, who is believed to be from the Thelwall area, was detained by the Spanish national police on Tuesday, October 20.

His arrest came after an AK47 assault rifle was discovered during a raid at an undisclosed commercial premises in the town back in April.

The 33-year-old was held on a European Arrest Warrant on suspicion of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life and was remanded into custody awaiting extradition proceedings.

High street robbery

Two men have been charged after a shop on Bridge Street in the centre was robbed at knifepoint.

Money and electrical goods were stolen when the Cash Generators store was raided at around 11am on Monday, October 19.

A large police presence was reported at Peninsula House on O’Leary Street in Orford shortly afterwards as officers made two arrests in connection with the incident.

David Holt and Simon Barker, both of O’Leary Street and aged 44 and 50 respectively, have since been charged with robbery.

Holt was also charged with possession of a bladed article in public place.

The pair will appear before Liverpool Crown Court next month.

Man threatened with chainsaw

A member of the public was threatened with a chainsaw in the street as thieves attempted to steal a catalytic converter from a car.

The vehicle’s owner parked outside the Co-op on Knutsford Road in Grappenhall at around 5pm on Friday, October 16, before entering the store.

When she returned to the car, she found two men removing the part using the chainsaw.

And the pair reportedly brandished the weapon at another man when he approached the criminals.

It is believed that the same offenders targeted another vehicle parked near to Padgate Medical Centre around half an hour previously.

Seamus Maughan, Terence Mongan and Francis Mongan, all of Leicestershire, were arrested after police stopped a car near to Gemini Retail Park at around 8.30pm and the trio – aged 38, 45 and 19 respectively – have been charged with two counts of theft and going equipped for theft.

Attempted murder probe

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a security guard was ‘deliberately’ run over during a break-in at a warehouse.

Two mopeds were stolen from the car park of Plastic Omnium’s base on Omega in the early hours of Wednesday, October 28.

As the offenders attempted to flee in a van, a 23-year-old security guard was hit by the vehicle as tried to stop their escape.

He suffered serious injuries, but has since been discharged from hospital.

While Cheshire Police confirmed they had made an arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, Ian Abley has since been charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and two counts of theft in relation to the incident.

The 25-year-old, from Liverpool, appeared before Warrington Magistrates Court to face these charges yesterday, Friday.

Pensioner attacked in street

An 81-year-old man was repeatedly punched in the face during an unprovoked attack.

The pensioner was assaulted near to the Classic Home Improvement shop on Knutsford Road in Latchford at around lunchtime on Thursday, October 22.

He suffered injuries to his ear and knee during the incident.

Jack Brooke, of Kingsway South in Latchford, has been charged with assault in connection with the incident.

The 28-year-old appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 29, in order to face this charge.