Gang targeted men in Cambridge to rob them of high value watches
Five men who conspired to rob people of their high value watches in Cambridge have been jailed for a combined 18 years.
Just before midnight on October 11 last year, the first victim was in Market Hill, Cambridge, when he grabbed by the wrists and pushed by men who took his Seiko watch worth about £500.
The next day at 4.15pm in Market Passage, a man approached the next victim and in Arabic said "remember me my friend?" before the victim was jumped by three more men and his £10,000 Patek Philippe watch stolen.
On October 13, at about 9.15pm, the final victim was grabbed by the wrist in Rose Crescent, pushed to the floor and held down by four men. His Rolex watch worth £26,500 and mobile phone were taken.
Using CCTV officers were able to identify the vehicle the men used on October 13 and tracked it using CCTV. The vehicle was stopped the next day and four of the men were arrested and the Rolex watch recovered.
Further investigation led to the accommodation where they were staying - in Rustat Road - where a fifth man was arrested and a number of items seized linking them to the robberies.
At Peterborough Crown Court on Monday (August 17) the men were all handed jail sentences after previously pleading guilty to the offences.
- Mohamed Laanani, 25, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring to commit robbery in Cambridge as well as two, two and a half, three and three years for four robberies in London (to be served concurrently).
- Adam Alarmeli, 22, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years and four months for conspiring to commit robbery in Cambridge as well as three years for a robbery in London (to be served concurrently).
- Oussama Saoud, 22, of Marcia Road, London, was sentenced to three years for conspiring to commit robbery in Cambridge and six months for possession of false identity documents.
- Ouail Lachebi, 22, of HMP Peterborough, was sentenced to three years for conspiring to commit robbery in Cambridge and three years for a robbery in London (to be served concurrently). He was also sentenced to three months for assaulting an emergency worker while in custody.
- Oussama Soufi, 21, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years for conspire to commit robbery in Cambridge and three years for a robbery in London (to be served concurrently).
Detective Constable Paul Evans said: “The victims in this case were subjected to a terrifying ordeal by an organised crime group who set out to target foreign nationals across the South East.
“Following an extensive joint investigation with our colleagues at the Met and Thames Valley Police we’re delighted to see these men are now behind bars facing the consequences of their actions. I hope that the culmination of this case gives the victims some closure and enables them to begin to move forward with their lives.”
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