Prolific criminal jailed for 16 months
Joe Ross smashed his way into Chloe’s Jewellers in Crown Street, St Ives, using a hammer stealing jewellery worth £29,000
A man who ransacked a St Ives jewellers as part of a crime spree across Cambridgeshire has been jailed.
Joe Ross, 36, of Hawkins Road, Cambridge, smashed his way into Chloe’s Jewellers in Crown Street, St Ives, using a hammer at about 3.20am on 30 April.
Ross spent just two minutes inside, smashing display cabinets and stealing jewellery worth £29,000 before fleeing the scene.
Just 24 hours later, he used the same hammer to break into Stow-Cum-Quy Post Office, making off with £450 in cash. A few hours later he stole several jars of coffee from the Co-op in North Street, Burwell.
His final target was Burwell Post Office on 3 May. Ross attempted to break into the building at about 3.20am but failed and fled, leaving traces of blood at the scene.
At Peterborough Crown Court, Ross was sentenced to 16 months in prison after admitting two counts of burglary, attempted burglary and theft from a shop.
He was ordered to pay £29,555 in compensation to Chloe’s Jewellers, £950 to Stow-Cum-Quy Post Office and £2,205.69 to Burwell Post Office.
Detective Constable Samuel Andrews, who investigated, said: “Ross is a prolific criminal who has caused significant distress and financial loss to businesses across Cambridgeshire through his offending since being released from prison earlier this year.
“Thanks to the evidence gathered during the investigation, we were able to link him to each of these offences and bring him before the courts I hope this sentence provides some reassurance to the business owners affected.”