Men jailed after masked raid on Eaton Socon shop

Three men have been jailed after carrying out a masked raid on a shop in St Neots.

Shane Barr, 37, Abdifatah Haji, 38, and Americo Monteiro Do Rosario Silva, 42, were among a group who entered the Post Office and Premier Store in Eaton Socon just before 6pm on Sunday 11 January.

A member of staff fled the shop and called police as the group stole cash from the till along with alcohol, vapes and tobacco.

The men then made off to a property in Prince Close, Eaton Ford, where they were arrested following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Silva, of West Green Road, North London, pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on 20 April.

Barr, of Moores Walk, St Neots, and Haji, of Wargrave Avenue, North London, also admitted burglary. Barr was jailed for three years and three months, while Haji received a one-year sentence at a hearing on 27 March.

Detective Constable Lucy Holderness said:

“These men showed a blatant disregard for the law and the member of staff who must have been terrified, simply so they could steal as much as they could carry.

“Thanks to the swift response from officers and the support of the community, they have been brought to justice.”

A fourth man, Michael Strojec, 46, of Olive Morris Court, London, has been charged in connection with the case. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on 30 April.