Jailed burglar still missing (From Worcester News)

Convicted burglar David Benyon on 'most wanted' list

4:33pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Sarah Davies

A CONVICTED burglar is still at large six months after being jailed for seven years for his part in a Worcestershire ram-raid.

Police are re-appealing for the public's help in tracing David Benyon, aged 24, of Compton Road, Cheltenham, who absconded from Worcester Crown Court while on court bail on July 23.

He went missing the day before he was convicted for his role in a ram raid in Broadway at 3am on May 5, 2009, when a stolen Land Rover Discovery was used to smash into a Nisa store in Bibsworth Avenue and steal the cashpoint machine inside.

He was convicted of burglary, a theft of a Land Rover, a further attempted theft of a second Land Rover, robbery and the theft of a disc cutter. He was sentenced in his absence on August 20.

Detectives believe that he is still in the local area, in particular Evesham and Cheltenham, where he has strong links.

Benyon has been placed on the Crimestoppers Most Wanted page and rewards of up to £1,000 are on offer for information which leads to him being arrested and charged.

Benyon is white, 5ft 9ins tall, of average build and has short, light brown hair.

DI Carl Moore, who is leading the search, said: “David Benyon belongs in jail and has been at large for too long: it is time for him to face justice.

“In his greed to take cash from the Nisa ATM, he caused severe structural damage to the shop, totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds, after he stole a local resident's 4x4, writing it off in the raid.

“We are also concerned that he may be committing further crimes across South Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, so we need to arrest him as soon as possible.

“Officers have been actively pursuing a number of leads on Benyon's whereabouts, so far without success.

“However, we are determined to trace him and we are asking for the public's help.”

Anyone with information on Benyon’s whereabouts should call West Mercia Police or Gloucestershire Constabulary on 101 or dial 999 if they see him.
Information can also be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.