SOUTHAMPTON DUO CHARGED OVER BURGLARY FROM CO-OP IN SANDOWN

A pair of Southampton men have been charged and given dates to appear before the courts following a burglary at The Co-op in Sandown earlier this week (Thursday). As first reported by Island Echo, officers were deployed to the High Street in Sandown at just gone 22:00 following an alarm activation at the local Co-Op store. Police arrived on scene to find that entry had been forced to the premises through the front door – thought to be with a crowbar. A cordon was soon erected around the store entrance, with a scene guard in place overnight and throughout today as investigations have taken place. That afternoon, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that a large quantity of cash – £5,000 to be exact – was taken from the High Street shop. It happened less than 15 minutes after staff had headed home for the night. Island Echo is told that the burglars, who were caught on CCTV, were in and out of the store within just a couple of minutes. The shop’s safe was not targeted, Police say, and the tills appear to be intact, raising questions as to where the money was stored. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that 37-year-old Thomas Paul Edward Weller and 33-year-old Billy Craig Connis – both from Southampton have both been charged. Connis is to appear before Magistrates in Southampton today (Saturday) charged with burglary and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, whilst Weller – who has been charged with burglary and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance – has been released on conditional bail and will appear before Magistrates on the Isle of Wight on 26th March.