The five males appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday of this week where they were sentenced for a string of robberies which took place between 1 December 2010 and 27 January 2011.
- David Carey, 25 (DOB 22/01/1985) of Holcroft Court, Clipstone Street, London W1 was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment for attempted robbery and two counts of robbery
- A 17 year-old boy from north west London was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment for attempted robbery and two counts of robbery
- Jerome Bishop-Taylor, 19 (DOB 24/09/1992 ) of Randolph Avenue, London W9 was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment for attempted robbery and two counts of robbery
- Connor Ryan, 19 (DOB 26/01/1992 ) of Clifford Gardens, Kensal Rise in London NW10 was sentenced to five years and nine months imprisonment for attempted robbery and two counts of robbery
- Aaron Pope, 21 (DOB 21/09/1990) of Fitzneal Street, Hammersmith, London W12 was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for robbery
Detective sergeant Neil Williamson of Finchley Flying Squad said: “This investigation has resulted in a prolific criminal network being dismantled and has positively impacted on the number of Cash-in-Transit robberies and burglaries. The Metropolitan Police Service Flying Squad is committed to detecting crimes and apprehending violent criminals to make businesses and communities feel safer.”
Williamson went on to state: “This excellent result demonstrates our continued determination and commitment to identifying and bringing to justice those criminals responsible for these types of offences.”
Detective superintendent John O’Leary from the Flying Squad added: “The convictions of these men came about as a result of a professional and tenacious investigation by DC Mess and his colleagues. As can be seen by the related offences, their jailing will not only impact upon offences of Cash-in-Transit robbery but also burglary and motor vehicle theft which they committed to enable them to carry out those robberies.”
Closing his statement, O’Leary said: “These are all young men and I hope their convictions will act as a deterrent to others.”
Details of the case
The men were arrested by officers from the Met’s Finchley Flying Squad following a pro-active surveillance operation into a linked series of Cash-in-Transit robberies. The offences occurred during December 2010 and January 2011 in central and north west London.
Initially, officers identified Ryan in mid-January 2011 after he had fed a gaming machine inside a west London bookmakers with bank notes covered in blue dye. The notes were forensically linked to a robbery occurring earlier that month.
On 27 January 2011, officers arrested Carey, a 17-year-old boy and Bishop-Taylor after they robbed a Cash-in-Transit van in Baker Street, London W1. A cash box containing a substantial amount of cash and further money was recovered from them. Ryan and Pope were subsequently arrested in the following weeks and charged with the offence.
All were remanded into custody and further arrested, charged with conspiracy to rob between 1 December 2010 and 27 January 2011.
Carey, a 17-year-old male, Bishop-Taylor and Ryan appeared at court on 12 July 2011 where they pleaded to the combined offences. Pope was found guilty of the offences following a trial.
Breakdown of offences
- 20 December 2010: CIT attempted robbery at the Esso Garage, Abbey Road, Park Royal, London NW10 (Carey)
- 6 January 2011: Attempted CIT robbery on G4S Van, HSBC, Park Royal Road, London NW10 (17 year-old boy, Bishop-Taylor)
- 6 January 2011: CIT robbery on G4S Van at Nat West, Station Parade, London NW2 (17 year-old boy, Bishop-Taylor)
- 24 January 2011: Attempted CIT robbery outside Queens Park Tube Station, London NW6 (Ryan)
- 27 January 2011: CIT robbery outside Barclays Bank, 95 Baker Street, London W1. (Carey, 17 year-old boy, Bishop-Taylor, Ryan, Pope)