Fawaz Oyedeji, 19, posed as a prospective buyer and arranged to meet the victim in Southwark, London, last March. After being shown the car and sitting inside with the seller, Oyedeji produced a gun and demanded the keys.
The victim resisted the threat, prompting Oyedeji to flee the vehicle and run away. The seller immediately contacted the police. Investigators gathered CCTV and dashcam footage, leading to Oyedeji's arrest at his home in Greenwich less than two days later.
Following a trial in August, Oyedeji was convicted of attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offense. He was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to four years in prison.
Detective Constable Alex Long, who led the investigation, praised the victim's courage and the officers' diligence in building the case. He emphasized the importance of taking precautions when buying or selling vehicles privately and urged the public to trust their instincts and call emergency services if something feels wrong. The Metropolitan Police stated their commitment to tackling robbery and violent crime in London.
Last year, the Met confiscated 676 firearms and 2,894 knives as part of efforts to combat weapons and violent crime.