Thief who threw bottles of vodka and tequila at officers jailed
It happened at a petrol station on 13 August.
Last updated 30th Oct 2025
A thief who threw stolen bottles of vodka and tequila at officers in Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed.
Callum Sweeney, 27, of no fixed address, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Tuesday after he admitted robbery and racially aggravated harassment/alarm/distress by words.
On 13 August, he went inside Esso petrol station on Anchor Road. Staff told him to leave because he was banned, but Sweeney refused. He forced his way through into the till area and took a bottle of brandy, vodka and tequila before leaving.
When police heard about the incident, they sent a nearby armed response vehicle to look for Sweeney. He was seen on Moss Green Road but ran off when he saw officers, who chased him on foot.
Sweeney threw two of the stolen bottles in the direction of the officers as he ran.
Officers stopped him on Talley Close and arrested him. The undamaged bottle of brandy was seized and returned to the store.
Staffordshire Police say when he was taken to hospital, Sweeney racially abused someone.
PC Michael Yeomans said: “Sweeney ignored the instructions of staff in the store and could have caused serious harm in his attempts to avoid being caught by police.
“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to secure this outcome and I hope it demonstrates that we are working hard to act against those responsible for burglary, theft and robbery across Staffordshire.”