Smethwick: man jailed for 18 years for shooting and armed robbery

Police issued an appeal to find Dante Kalsi after he was spotted on CCTV with a handgun.

Officers said he was involved in disorder which led to two men being shot in Poplar Road in Smethwick on 31 March last year.

A 20 year-old was shot in the stomach and a 19 year-old man was shot in the leg.

The two men both suffered serious injuries and underwent life-saving surgery.

They both recovered, but remain traumatised by what appears to be a motiveless attack.

Armed robbery in West Bromwich

Kalsi was already being sought by officers investigating an armed robbery after security drivers were ambushed at a shop ATM in Vicarage Road, Hateley Heath, West Bromwich, on 18 July 2019.

A gang of four - armed with axes and a hammer - threatened two security workers before taking cash and making off in a getaway car.

Three men have already been convicted and jailed in connection with this but Kalsi went to ground, until he was identified by officers as being involved in the Smethwick disorder.

Police said they tracked him down following intensive enquiries to an address in Erdington last June.

He was arrested and a search of the property found cartridges some of which were similar to bullets recovered from the scene in Poplar Road.

What happened when Kalsi appeared in court?

Kalsi, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery.

The 24-year-old was sentenced to 18 years and three months imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (28 January) with a further five years on extended licence.

West Midlands Police said: “We won’t tolerate violence and anyone who thinks they can get away from us is wrong. We will continue to hunt down and put criminals behind bars.”

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