Gang jailed for million-pound robbery conspiracy targeting homes and businesses
By Rebecca Devonshire-Pay 29th May 2026
Three men have been jailed after a violent conspiracy involving tracking and targeting victims and stealing £1 million worth of goods.
Junior Owen, James Melia and Anthony Watson - aged 33, 34 and 39 respectively - were sentenced last week at Minshull Street Crown Court to a combined sentence of over 21 years.
They pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including conspiracy to commit robbery, possession with intent to supply, and handling stolen goods.
The investigation began in February, when officers responded to reports of a personal robbery in the car park of John Lewis in Cheadle, Stockport.
At around 10.30 am, a woman was placing bags in her car when a man approached her with a screwdriver, demanding she give over her watch, threatening to stab her if she didn't do so.
He also took her engagement ring, with a combined total of the items of £180,000.
She also saw another offender, who made threats for her not to look at him, before the pair left, and police were called.
Officers identified the vehicle as a stolen/cloned car and then tracked it using CCTV, ANPR, and other footage.
Investigations found the victim had been followed prior to the robbery, and they had fit a tracking device to her car.
Watches, drugs, and trackers seized from the gang's addresses in Wythenshawe and Timperley.
The trio then pleaded guilty to their involvement as the evidence was overwhelming, and officers later found they had committed further crimes targeting high-value goods in robberies and burglaries in Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
One robbery in Stockport in January 2023 saw goods with a retail value of £300,000 taken from a shop after the worker was threatened, with the offender ripping out CCTV before leaving through the rear doors.
Detective Constable Lucy Williams, from GMP's Stockport district, said: "These three criminals made a living out of violently stealing other people's hard-earned belongings, being motivated by personal gain and not caring for who they threatened.
"This was a complex and comprehensive investigation, which saw extensive phone and data analysis, mapping out the three criminals and linking them to their offences. I want to pay tribute to the officers with Stockport's Neighbourhood Crime Team who have dedicated so many hours to help get today's results.
"Their crimes left people terrified for their own lives and unsafe in their own homes, and I am glad they are now behind bars for their actions.
"I hope that their victims can feel some comfort at today's result – we take reports of robberies and burglaries incredibly seriously and will do our utmost best to find those responsible."
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