'Rolex Ripper' gang GUILTY: Six thugs stole watches and jewellery from terrified victims while armed with Zombie knives and machetes - before getting caught red-handed with gloating phone photos
- A gang of men have been jailed for a series of brutal robberies in London
- They threatened their victims with machetes and Zombie knives in the attacks
The group of six men were convicted over a string of violent robberies. Pictured: Roshan Clark, 18, poses with two stolen Rolex watches
Michael Malik Ahmed 28, pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery over the attacks in December 2021 and January 2022
Zakariah Yusuf, 18, was one of three who previously admitted to being involved in the robberies
Kaijuan Henry, 19, was found guilty of being involved in the December robberies with the gang
The gang was caught after police officers chased the BMW used in the robberies and tracked down all six men. Pictured: Joseph Opoku, 19
Jessy Ouma, 18, was found guilty of being involved in the robberies on January 9 at the trial
A gang responsible for a series of terrifying robberies at knifepoint in South West London have been convicted after police recovered a phone with members posing with stolen Rolex watches.
The group used a stolen BMW with false plates to carry out their crimes, threatening their victims with large knives and machetes before stealing items including watches and bags. None of the stolen property has been recovered.
The Met's Flying Squad tracked the gang down after a high-speed car chase with two of the members which saw them escape police but leave their valuables behind in the BMW.
This included a phone belonging to one member with gloating photos of the gang posing with their stolen goods.
The phone allowed officers to identify the pair who fled the car and their fellow members. Officers also recovered a large machete used in the robberies.
Michael Malik Ahmed 28, pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery – four on December 21, 2021, and two on January 9, 2022, following a joint operation by the Flying Squad and a local robbery team.
He was also found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon used in the attacks, as well as dangerous driving at a trial which concluded on Monday.
At the same trial, Kaijuan Henry, 19, was found guilty of being involved in the December robberies, while Jessy Ouma, 18, was found guilty of being involved in the robberies on January 9.
Zakariah Yusuf, 18, Joseph Opoku, 19, and Roshan Clark, 18, previously pleaded guilty to being involved. Sentencing will take place on a future date.
Detective Sergeant Gary Taylor, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: 'These men carried out multiple violent robberies which left many of those targeted fearing for their lives.
'Their attacks were brazen, took place on busy streets and I have no doubt they would have gone on to commit further crimes if they had not been quickly caught.
'We know the impact these crimes have on each and every victim and our team worked tirelessly to ensure we identified those responsible and brought them to justice.
'Those who live in and visit our city should not have to go about their daily lives in fear of thieves.
'Sadly we know there has been a rise in these types of offences and we would urge people to remain aware of their surroundings and where possible to keep valuables out of sight.'
The gang was brought to justice when victims provided police with the car's registration number.
Officers spotted the BMW at the junction of Balham High Road and Chestnut Grove soon after.
Specialist officers pursued the vehicle, which crashed into a wooden fence near the junction of Dornton Road and Culverdon Road.
The occupants of the car fled from the scene and into an estate. Despite a foot chase, police were unable to find them.
In their rush to escape, Ahmed left his house keys, phone and a bank card in the car while Yusuf left his jacket and phone.
A large machete used in the robberies was also found in the vehicle, as was a tracksuit top with distinctive markings which matched the clothing worn by Ahmed when he was caught on CCTV at a petrol station.
When Ouma was arrested, officer seized and examined his phone. This revealed photos of Henry and Clark celebrating their robberies by wearing a number of the stolen watches.
Forensic evidence and cell site data also linked the defendants to the crimes.
DS Taylor added: 'We are pleased that a dangerous gang has been taken off our streets and our city will be safer now that these six men are facing a considerable period behind bars.
'This case also shows the importance of reporting a robbery as soon as it happens and we would urge anyone who is the victim of a similar crime, or anyone who sees a robbery taking place, to call us immediately.
'This makes a significant impact on our ability to catch those responsible and prevent them from causing any further harm.'
(some earlier coverage below)
Rolex robbers are back on the rampage: Machete-wielding thieves on mopeds and e-bikes strike 109 times in two months to rip £20,000 timepieces from wrists of their victims in some of London's most desirable postcodes
- Some 42 watch robberies between April 26 and May 30, further 67 next month
- July 12 couple was followed by moped rider who threatened them with machete
- Thief stole their Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe watches in broad daylight
- Two days later woman was threatened with knife and bracelet and watch stolen
- July 4 two people on a motorbike knocked down a man in his 50s before getting a knife out and stealing his Rolex watch and his wedding ring in Kensington
Police are on the hunt for Rolex robbers on mopeds and e-bikes who use machetes to force people to hand over their £20,000 watches.
Some 109 incidents have been recorded in just two months in some of London's most desirable postcodes.
In areas including Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham there were 42 watch robberies between April 26 and May 30 and a further 67 in the following month - an increase of more than 60 per cent.
On July 12 couple was followed by a moped rider who threatened them with a machete in broad daylight at 10.10am around the Boltons Conservation Area in Chelsea.
They were forced to hand over their Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe watches. Some Patek Philippe watches are worth up to £210,000.
Just two days later a woman was threatened with a knife by two people on a motorbike and was forced to give them her watch and bracelet at 9.45pm in Kensington and Chelsea.
And on July 4 two people on a motorbike knocked down a man in his 50s before getting a knife out and stealing his Rolex watch, believed to be worth around £20,000, and his wedding ring between 9 and 10pm in Kensington and Chelsea.
On July 12 couple was followed by a moped rider who threatened them with a machete in broad daylight at 10.10am around the Boltons Conservation Area in Chelsea. They were forced to hand over their Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe watches. Some Patek Philippe watches are worth up to £210,000
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