CCTV shows moment police pounce on notorious London phone stealing gang

The gang will serve a combined 55 years in prison

CCTV footage shows the moment police pounced on a notorious mobile phone stealing gang in Kilburn. Metropolitan Police officers watched on as a group entered an EE shop on November 19 last year.

With four suspects arrested at the scene, detectives were able to unravel the whole operation before the group was jailed for a combined 55 years almost a year later on Friday, November 7.

The Met Flying Squad operation found the group targeted mostly EE stores, using threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before making off with high-value mobile phones and other devices. In total, they stole items with a total value of £240,000.

Following the sting in Kilburn, officers were able to link suspects to the scenes of the crimes through DNA evidence, as well as call data and vehicle records.

Searches at addresses linked to the suspects led to the recovery of stolen devices and further evidence connecting the group to the robberies. It was found they were responsible for 12 robberies in total, with EE stores in Clapham, Notting Hill and Holloway Road among those which fell victim.

All ten men were later charged. They were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 7 November.

Here is the full list of names and their sentences

The following defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, January 30:

• James Adodo, 25, of St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
• David Akintola, 25, of Samuel Street, Woolwich, was sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.
• Michael Babo, 25, of Gilbert Close, Woolwich, was sentenced to six years and 10 months’ imprisonment.
• Robert Hills, 21), of Mayfield Road, Gravesend, Kent, was sentenced to five years and three months’ imprisonment.
• Ayomide Olaribiro, 22, of Warrior Square, Manor Park, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment.
• Nelson Joel, 28, of St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment.
• Olabiyi Obasa, 29), of Norfolk Close, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment.
• David Okewole, 24, of Vale Road, Northfleet, Kent, was sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

The following defendant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, August 18:

• Laville Bloise, 25, of Goldcrest Close, Thamesmead, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The following defendant was found guilty of attempted robbery at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, August 21:

• Mushtakim Miah, 25, of Artillery Place, Woolwich, was sentenced to eight years and six months’ imprisonment.

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