Zohirul Haque robbed a newsagents in Bethnal Green and was arrested by an officer in the street just one day after the attack.
Haque had pointed a firearm at staff and stole a quantity of cash but despite the victim bravely setting off the panic alarm, he had left the scene before officers arrived.
An immediate investigation was launched by Flying Squad detectives and they deployed to the area to begin enquiries.
Haque, was wearing a distinctive suit when he carried out the robbery. Already having gathered this description from the victims, it was the clothing of a man in the street which caught the attention of the Flying Squad officer the next day.
Detective Sergeant McGee, who made the arrest, said: “I was on my own in the area gathering evidence about this case, when I noticed a man in the street who matched the suspect’s description.
“He stood out as he was wearing a really smart suit with a bow tie, and although it looked different to the one described by the victims, I immediately suspected this was the man we were looking for. He was also wearing a rucksack identical to the one worn by the suspect.
“Haque walked straight past me, and I called for colleagues to come to the scene. Meanwhile I followed him for five to ten minutes until they arrived, and he was then arrested.
“You don’t often get days like that when it all falls into place, and that piece of luck helped to bring justice to the victims, although it took some further police work to secure the evidence we needed.”
After he was arrested, police officers bailed Haque to further build the case. Another witness came forward who was able to identify him as the suspect.
Officers were also able to identify him by CCTV. On Monday, 5 December he was rearrested and charged with armed robbery.
Unfortunately officers were not able to recover either the firearm or the cash, believed to be around £200, stolen during the incident.
Zohirul Haque, 39 (04.12.84), of no fixed address, appearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 26 October 2023, was found unanimously guilty of armed robbery.
He was jailed for twelve years at the same court on Monday, 5 February.
