Two men who were involved in 12 robberies of high value watches in London have been jailed after a successful four-week manhunt by Met detectives.
Asonu McKenzie, 29 (18.10.93) of no fixed address, and Reshaun Nembhard, 29 (20.04.94) of no fixed address, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery between 25 May and 15 July last year.
At Southwark Crown Court on 18 August McKenzie received a 14-year jail sentence and Nembhard received a sentence of eight years’ imprisonment.
During a two-month period last summer, a series of robberies were carried out in Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley, Croydon, Wandsworth and Hammersmith and Fulham.
The method of offences was the same in that the suspects would arrive in a silver Audi Q2 and drive around the area to locate their victims.
Once a victim was identified, one or two men would get out of the vehicle and approach them from behind. They were then struck on the back of the head with a blunt object. Once the victims were incapacitated, they would have their high value watches removed from their wrists.
The injuries caused to the victims ranged from minor grazes and lacerations, to fractured skulls, with one of the victims still under assessment for potentially losing his sight.
The investigation was led by detectives on the Robbery Investigation Team on the Central South BCU.
They analysed hundreds of hours of CCTV to identify the Audi and then trace the occupants.
The arrest enquiries for Nembhard involved a four-week manhunt including numerous arrest enquiries at multiple addresses across South London and Essex.
Acting Detective Sergeant Ash Francis, of Central South BCU, said: “I am proud of the investigation that was undertaken by officers of the Robbery team on the Central South borough command unit. This case demonstrates their dedication and tenacity. Their diligent investigation resulted in the arrest and conviction of two violent offenders.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that criminals are brought to justice. We understand the impact of robbery on victims and know that the effects are more than just the loss of property. Robbery is a violent and often traumatising crime, and we remain committed to tackling robbery in all of its forms.”
