Phone shop robbery gang jailed following Met Police investigation

Members of an organised crime group have been jailed for total of more than 55 years following a Met Police investigation into a series of robberies at mobile phone shops across London.

Between September and November 2024, detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad worked to identify and arrest members of an organised crime group responsible for at least 13 offences.

The group targeted mostly EE stores, using threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before making off with high-value mobile phones and other devices. In total, they stole items with a total value of £240,000.

The investigation involved painstaking analysis of CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and mobile phone data.

Detective Constable Stephen O'Connell, who led the investigation from the Met’s Flying Squad, said:

“This case shows the Met’s continued determination to tackle organised phone theft and robbery. Officers used forensic and digital techniques to identify and arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We know how much distress these crimes cause to staff and the impact on businesses. We’re dismantling criminal networks at every level, from street-level thieves to organised crime groups – and we will continue to work with retail and industry partners to identify and arrest offenders.”

Alex Towers, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at BT Group, added:

“We thank the police for their hard work in securing a conviction in this case. We take the safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers extremely seriously and have long collaborated with law enforcement on cases like this.

“We will continue to do all we can to tackle this sort of theft through our own advanced security measures and shared efforts with the police.”

Officers were able to link suspects to the scenes of the crimes through DNA evidence, as well as call data and vehicle records.

They observed the group as they prepared for further offences, and on 19 November 2024, officers moved in to arrest four of the men in the act at an EE shop in Kilburn.

Searches at addresses linked to the suspects led to the recovery of stolen devices and further evidence connecting the group to the robberies. All ten men were later charged. They were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 7 November.

Conviction and sentencing details

The following defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 30 January:

James Adodo, (05.09.00), of St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

David Akintola, (20.05.00), of Samuel Street, Woolwich, was sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.

Michael Babo, (15.07.00), of Gilbert Close, Woolwich, was sentenced to six years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

Robert Hills, (09.08.04), of Mayfield Road, Gravesend, Kent, was sentenced to five years and three months’ imprisonment.

Ayomide Olaribiro, (29.04.03), of Warrior Square, Manor Park, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment.

Nelson Joel, (09.09.97), of St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment.

Olabiyi Obasa, (06.04.96), of Norfolk Close, Dartford, Kent, was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment.

David Okewole, (29.08.01), of Vale Road, Northfleet, Kent, was sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

The following defendant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, 18 August:

Laville Bloise, (17.07.00), of Goldcrest Close, Thamesmead, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The following defendant was found guilty of attempted robbery at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 21 August:

Mushtakim Miah, (04.02.00), of Artillery Place, Woolwich, was sentenced to eight years and six months’ imprisonment.

Details of offences

EE Mobile Phone Shop, Holloway Road, N7 on 3 September 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, High Street, Eltham, SE9 on 16 September 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Balham High Road, SW12 on 29 September 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Chiswick High Road, W4 on 17 October 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, The Broadway, Crouch End, N8 on 27 October 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Notting Hill Gate, W11 on 29 October 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Putney High Street, SW15 on 3 November 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, St John’s Road, Clapham, SW11 on 8 November 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17 on 9 November 2024
Three, Holloway Road, N7 on 9 November 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, St John’s Road, Clapham, SW11 on 10 November 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Fulham Broadway Retail Centre, SW6 on 11 November 2024
EE Mobile Phone Shop, Kilburn High Road, NW6 on 19 November 2024

NOTES TO EDITORS: Custody images of the offences, as well as video of some of their offending, including the arrests in Kilburn on 19 November 2024, can be accessed here: https://mps.box.com/s/r1zb1xlz25pmb5hhn5rim3x82y5oh0uv.