Mayfair Jeweller in £40million Heist

A Mayfair jeweller has been victim to one of the biggest robberies in British criminal history.

Two smartly dressed thieves walked into Graf jewellers in New Bond Street last Thursday and threatened staff with handguns. They made off with a huge stash of rings, watches, bracelets and necklaces with a combines value of 65 million USD (just under £40million).

The audacious pair took a female member of staff out onto the street with them, firing a shot before making off in a parked BMW car. They then drove to Dover Street, via Stafford Street, where they ditched the BMW, fired another shot and police believe made off in a silver Mercedes. Police believe there was another car switch in Farm Street.

Det Chief Inspector Pam Mace from the Flying Squad said: “This was a well planned robbery with a number of vehicles used to help the robbers escape. These men are extremely dangerous and fired at least two shots in busy London streets as they made their getaway.

“Someone knows who these men are, they would undoubtedly have spoken about it beforehand or boasted about it afterwards. I would urge anyone who recognises them, knows the whereabouts of the jewellery or has any other information to contact us.”

Police have released descriptions of the two wanted men, and also a CCTV image which they believe shows the two robbers.

Suspect 1 is white, approximately 30 years old, with a slim build, dark hair with a well-combed side parting, light stubble on his face and is 5 ft 10 – 6 ft tall. He was wearing a grey suit, white shirt and tie.

Suspect 2 is black, described as being in his 30s, 6 ft tall, more well built than the first suspect, with very short Afro hair. He was also wearing a grey suit, white shirt and tie.

It is believed both men spoke with London accents.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Barnes Flying Squad on 020 8247 4804; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Jura Watches Hit By Thieves

The Evening Standard is reporting that upmarket watch retailers, Jura Watches, in Burlington Gardens were hit by raiders last night. The smash and grab thieves made off with thousands of pounds worth of watches from the store which stocks brands such as Baume et Mercier, Bremont and Bell & Ross.

Mayfair Flower Thief Found Guilty

A thief who targetted a florist in Mayfair has been found guilty at Southwark Crown Court.

Sean Fuller repeatedly stole flowers from Wild Things in Davies Street and sold them to pay for his heroin habit.

Judge Peter Testar handed Fuller a community order with a three-months residence requirement, he would have to undergo a six-month drug rehabilitation and be subject to a 12-month supervision order.

(via Daily Telegraph)

D&G Hit By Smash and Grab

Dolce and Gabbana in Old Bond Street was hit by “smash and grab” robbers on Monday night. Following the template which has become so common at designer stores in London, the robbers turned up on motor bikes, smashed their way in and made off with as much as they could carry.

Vogue: Dolce and Gabbana Raided
Female First: D&G; Raided By Fashion Bandits

Motorbike Gang Caught On Camera

The Sun Newspaper today reports on the latest smash and grab at a designer store by burglars on bikes. This time it was at the Fendi store in Sloane Street, but as the robbers made off into the night at high speed, they were caught on camera by paparazzi photographers waiting outside Cipriani in Davies Street. The picture shows two of them on a motorbike, laden with handbags.

Visit The Sun website to see the picture and read more

Bond Street Thefts – What Can Be Done?

The on

Even if the police do make arrests, the thieves have demonstrated that this is a viable criminal business model and others will take their place.

So what can be done? Are the police giving this the attention it requires? An unsympathetic opinion miht be that the police are better servied concentrating on crimes with a victim than rich shops having expensive items stolen that only rich people can buy.

Salvatore Ferragamo Hit By Motorbike Raiders

The Evening Standard reports today that Salvatore Ferragamo on Old Bond Street was hit by raiders on motorbikes last night. They smashed through a glass door and made off with thousands of pounds worth of handbags. Witnesses saw a man and a woman on a motorbike making off at speed with handbags around their arms. They were seen heading through Berkeley Square towards Piccadilly.

Last night’s robbery makes it the third time in two years that Salvatore Ferragamo has been hit. The store at 24 Old Bond Street specialises in high end Italian fashion and accessories.

Full story in the Evening Standard

Attempted Car-Jacking In Berkeley Square

It has been reported that a former contestant of the Channel 4 programme Big Brother, Ms Charley Uchea, was the victim of a attempted car jacking in Berkeley Square on Tuesday night.

The minor celebrity had just left the Funky Buddha nightclub when she stopped to get cash. It was at this point that a gang of four men, apparently armed, tried to take her car – a silver Mercedes SLK200.

Somehow Ms Uchea and a friend managed to repel the gang and the police were called to attend the scene.

London Paper
Mr Paparazzi

Motorcycle Robbers Apprehended?

One of the recurring Mayfair stories this year has been the thefts from designer stores, carried out by sledge-hammer wielding gangs on motorbikes. The Islington Tribune has reported that arrests have been made following attempts to sell the stolen goods on eBay. Seven men between the ages of 19 and 43 were arrested and questioned at a central London police station.

Read the full story…