Three men have been sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for a brazen daylight robbery at a family-run jewellers in Richmond, London, where they stole gems valued at £225,000. Deniz Mehmet, 28, Lee Ramsey, 46, and Robert Clarke, 50, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob.
The incident occurred on January 31, when the trio smashed the windows of Gregory & Co jewellers. Witness videos, which later went viral, showed two of the men using tools to break through the shop's glass while a third waited with a large blue bag. Staff members attempted to fend off the attackers but were unsuccessful. The robbers fled the scene on foot, with onlookers expressing fear for their safety.
Following an extensive investigation involving CCTV footage analysis, forensic examination, and the recovery of a linked vehicle, specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad identified and arrested the suspects in March and April. Bodycam footage captured officers arresting Ramsey in the early hours of March 31, while Clarke was detained that same night. Mehmet was arrested on the street on April 8.
At Kingston Crown Court, Mehmet, Ramsey, and Clarke were each sentenced to five years and three months. The stolen jewelry has not been recovered. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell of the Met's Flying Squad stated that robberies of this nature cause significant concern for communities and emphasized the police's commitment to pursuing those involved in such crimes.
Gregory & Co, a family-run business that has been in Richmond for over 45 years, expressed gratitude for the public's support following the incident, noting that the community response had been overwhelming. A witness described the robbers as appearing suddenly, carrying a sledgehammer and a bag.