Two men have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle for their role in a six-week crime spree that netted approximately £500,000 worth of luxury goods across London. Ryan Brough, 32, and Max Tyson, 25, used vehicles to smash their way into several high-end retail stores.
The pair's raids began in November, targeting Bottega Veneta on Old Bond Street. They used a Vauxhall Insignia but were spooked by nearby construction workers, leaving with an estimated £40,000 in merchandise. The following week, they struck END Clothing in Broadwick Street, Soho. Their most significant theft occurred on December 16 in Knightsbridge, where they reversed a white Mitsubishi SUV into the windows of Loro Piana, stealing goods valued at nearly £400,000.
The gang's activities concluded in January when they targeted the Yves Saint Laurent store on Old Bond Street. Using a black Toyota SUV, they smashed the fortified display window and stole luxury handbags, some valued at up to £30,000 each. The incident was captured on CCTV.
Brough and Tyson were arrested later on the day of the Yves Saint Laurent raid, ending their spree. A witness described hearing a loud bang and seeing a blue car driven into the storefront, with several individuals then entering the premises to remove items and load them into the vehicle. The witness expressed concerns about the length of time the individuals were at the scene and the perceived absence of police presence.
Also implicated in the operation are Oliver Ndayizeye, 36, who admitted to encouraging or assisting an offense by providing the Vauxhall Insignia used in one of the raids, and Sonny Stringer, 30, who admitted to handling stolen designer goods. Ndayizeye had reported his car stolen to distance himself from the incident. Stringer, previously known for phone snatching, admitted to handling goods knowing they were taken in the raids but denied direct involvement in the burglaries themselves.
Brough, Tyson, Ndayizeye, and Stringer have all admitted to their respective charges. Sentencing for the four defendants is scheduled for later this year.