Twenty charged over £1 million thefts of plant machinery across UK

Twenty people have been charged in connection with the theft of around £1 million worth of plant machinery from hire companies across the UK.

The group, consisting of 14 men and six women, were arrested in 2025 after Cheshire Police’s Ellesmere Port Proactive CID conducted a series of warrants related to the widespread thefts.

The incidents spanned 19 counties, including Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Humberside, Hampshire, West Midlands, Hertfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Merseyside, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, West Mercia, Suffolk, Cornwall, and Lincolnshire.

A thorough case file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who have now authorised the following charges –

James Bergquist, aged 46 of Sandiway, Huyton, Merseyside, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Handle stolen goods (09/01/2021)

• Handle stolen goods (17/02/2022)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Thomas Howard, aged 34, of Burnley Road, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Natasha Taylor, aged 38, of Kay Street, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Madison Grattan, aged 30, of Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

• Handle stolen goods (17/02/2022)

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

William Cross, aged 43, of Cog Lane, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

• Handle stolen goods (17/02/2022)

Stephen Simpson, aged 43, of Prestwich Street, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

• Handle stolen goods (17/02/2022)

Shaun Craig, aged 35, of Fielden Street, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

Carl Harwood, aged 31, of Burnley Road, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

Daniel Aston, aged 29, of Holcombe Drive, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

Alexandra Dodgeon, aged 29, of Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

Lee Harrison, aged 40, of Woodleigh, Manchester Road, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

Francis Maughan, aged 29, of Canal Street, Church, Accrington, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (30/09/2020 - 25/09/2023)

• Conspire to commit a burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal (06/07/2022)

Ryan Williamson, aged 45, of Milton Street, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Brian Finnigan, aged 70, of Crosshills, St Giles Street, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Anthony Houghton, aged 63, of Crosshills, St Giles Street, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Neil Garrett, aged 45, of Ribble Street, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Craig Atkinson, aged 58, of Accrington Road, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Ellie-Jay Day, aged 30, of Devon Grove, Burnley, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Katherine Ostrowercha, aged 30, of Whitegate Close, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

Lauren Neil, aged 38, of Whitegate Gardens, Whitegate Close, Padiham, charged with -

• Conspiracy To Steal (24/01/2024 - 10/02/2025)

All 20 defendants are set to appear at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 9th September.

Hear the latest news on Cool FM on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app. You can also follow us on X and TikTok, just search CoolFMNews