A moped robber has been jailed after taking part in a £160,000 professionally executed gang raid on a west London jewellers.
Jason Abraham, 23, has been jailed for seven years and four months after he being part of a group of seven who used stolen mopeds to smash through entrance of Amir Jewellers in Maida Vale on May 20 this year.
The group crashed into the stores outer magnetic door and inner door at around 5pm armed with hammers, a crowbar and a machete before carrying out the 60 second raid.
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Two members of the gang smashed open the locked cases, while Abraham was caught on CCTV shovelling the shops speciality arabic-style rings, bracelets and diamonds into blue canvas bags.
Terrified staff members hit the panic button and rushed to hide in the basement for safety.
Meanwhile, three moped drivers circled the pavement outside to guard the doorway, while the last gang member stood guard brandishing the machete, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Carol Summers said in total the gang caused over £20,000 worth of damage.
Abraham, was on the moped that was three up – with three riders – but he was unable to climb on it while the rest of the gang fled the scene.
Ms Summers said: A group of members of the public managed to detain him a few yards from the shop. He was overpowered and kept there until the police arrived.
He sustained some injuries from that detention and was taken to hospital.
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The court heard how all three bikes used had been stolen, including one that had been taken from a special constable a few weeks before the raid.
Store manager Adil Alahmady said he had suffered anxiety, stress and sleeplessness in the wake of the raid.
He said the shop had remained closed for a week and had seen a decline in business after footage of the incident was shared on social media.
Abraham – who has 15 previous convictions – admitted one count of robbery at a hearing in June.
Jailing Abraham for seven years and four months, Judge David Tomlinson said: This robbery was carefully and professionally executed – fortunately members of the public managed to detain one of the gangs, namely you.
It is absolutely clear to me that your entry into the shop was delayed because you threatened a member of the public who was approaching you – that member of the public has never been identified.
Its clear that many members of the public acted in a very publicly spirited way.
Judge Tomlinson said whiRead More – Source
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