Mayfair, London

Mayfair news and features

Prada store hit by smash and grab raid

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THE PRADA store in Mayfair's Old Bond Street has been hit by robbers.

The "smash and grab" raid took place shortly after 1am this morning with reports saying that four robbers took a quantity of handbags from the store at 16 Old Bond Street.

They made off on two mopeds, one of which crashed in to a lamp post in Conduit Street during the getaway.

Police officers recovered some handbags from the scene of the crash but the moped had left the scene.

Officers from the Met's Flying Squad are appearing for information or witnesses.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call Police on 101 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Police investigate Mount Street murder

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Mount Street sign in Mayfair, London

A MURDER investigation has been launched after the Metropolitan Police discovered a dead man at a Mayfair address.

The deceased man, aged 63, was found at a flat in Mount Street on Friday (8th) afternoon.

A post-mortem over the weekend identified the cause of death as head injuries.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command are investigating. Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The victim's identity has not yet been disclosed although next of kin have been informed.

Update: The deceased has been named as Mr Roberto Troyan.

"Unlawful killing" verdict in Martine Vik Magnussen case

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A coroner has returned a verdict of "unlawful killing" in the case of Norwigian student, Martine Vik Magnussen.

Magnussen, aged 23, was killed after a night out at a nightclub in Mayfair.

She had met prime suspect, Farouk Abdulhak, at the Maddox Club in Mill Street in March 2008. Her semi naked body was found in the basement of his apartment the next morning.

Abdulhak fled to Yemen, a country with no extradition treaty with the United Kingdom.

The victim's father, Petter Magnussen, commented outside Westminster Coroner's Court:

"This really shows the absurd situation that surrounds this case. We have a suspect that has fled to a country where he is untouchable."

Mayfair Jeweller in £40million Heist

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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.

cctv

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

Mayfair Flower Thief Found Guilty

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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)

Motorbike Gang Caught On Camera

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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

Salvatore Ferragamo Hit By Motorbike Raiders

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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

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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