David Buisson stole more than 150 watches worth from a safe at a business at a shopping centre in Bluewater
Video shows the moment burglar donned a facemask and high-vis in a “meticulously” planned £1 million watch heist. David Buisson, 56, of Malkin Drive, Harlow, stole more than 150 watches from a safe at a business at a shopping centre in Bluewater.
Buisson travelled to the shopping centre in a Mercedes GLA with cloned number plates and driven by his partner in crime on February 7 this year. Wearing a facemask and a high-vis, Buisson was able to access the roof, where he climbed into the business he was targeting using a telescopic ladder.
The thief overcame multiple security measures to steal more than 150 watches from a secure area of the shop. Police were called after an alarm alerted staff to the break-in and burglary.
Buisson was arrested on February 12 in Penrith, Cumbria, after a complex investigation by police. Five videos of footage of the burgled business prior to the burglary were found in a search of his house.
He was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and was remanded to prison. His associate, who had been arrested on the same day in Waltham Abbey, was also charged with the same offence but died whilst on remand. Buisson pleaded guilty on July 16 and was jailed for six-years-on month on Thursday, July 11.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Harry Groves, said: “Buisson is a career criminal who spent a considerable amount of time planning this high-value burglary. Our exhaustive enquiries were able to show there had been a period of reconnaissance both inside and outside the shopping centre and that, on the day of the break-in, steps had been taken to disguise both Buisson’s appearance and the vehicle he was using.
“This burglar bypassed a sophisticated security arrangement and thought he had escaped detection. His confidence was misplaced however and some dogged investigation assisted by both the business he had targeted and the Bluewater security team, ensured he was tracked down. Buisson is now serving a lengthy prison sentence in prison and our investigation will continue in an effort to recover the stolen watches that have yet to be recovered.”
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