Armed burglars steal back money one had lost on fruit machines

The five-strong gang got away with hundreds of pounds and alcohol.

But police tracked their getaway car and stopped it with a stinger on the M54.

Three of the gang were arrested and were sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Ionut Parlapan, 22, of Foxwell Road, Birmingham, Traian-florin Paun, 20, of Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham and Titu Oprea, 42, of Washwood Heath admitted the burglary of the Toby Cavery on Welshpool Road, Shrewsbury, on February 26.

Oprea was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment. Paun was given 16 months detention in the Young Offenders Institute and Parlapan 16 months imprisonment.

Joanne Barker, prosecuting, said the restaurant manager locked up and went upstairs.

At about 2.10am he heard the alarm sounding and the noise of smashing in the restaurant below.

He phoned the police and saw five men getting into a car.

Miss Barker said about £700 was stolen mainly from the fruit machines and several bottles of alcohol while about £5,000 of damage was caused.

Police tracked the car to the M54 and it was stopped by a stinger.

Mr Brendan Reedy for Parlapan and Paun said his clients had no previous convictions and had only recently moved to Britain from Romania.

They had not realised why there were going to Shrewsbury.

The court was told that Oprea had previous convictions both in Romania and Spain.