A GANG of robbers who targeted banks and bookies across West London during a crime spree last year has been jailed.
Jamie Baker, of Kittiwake Way, Hayes, was sentenced to ten years in prison after admitting to his involvement in six robberies, which were carried out between May and September last year.
His first smash-and-grab raid took place on May 28 at Bradley's Jewellers, in London Road, Beaconsfield, and less than a week later on June 3, a cash-in-transit (CIT) van was held up at a Nationwide branch in Feltham.
Police from the Flying Squad, who specialise in armed robbery investigations, identified Baker, 23, and Stacy Burke, 24, as possible suspects in the first raid, after their DNA was found at the scene of a motorbike crash in North Acton.
Officers set up surveillance on the two suspects to gather evidence and identify who their associates were.
On June 17 just after 5pm, Baker failed in his bid to rob a William Hill in South Africa Road, White City, but just 20 minutes later, he struck at another branch of the bookmakers, in Yeading Lane, Hayes.
Baker, and Burke, of Braybrook Street, Acton, attempted to carry out a late-morning raid on a cash-in-transit van in High Street, Ruislip, on October 21, only to be dramatically taken down by plain clothes officers laying in wait as they tried to make their getaway.
A loaded gun was recovered, and they were both subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy to rob and possession of a firearm.
They would each later admit to an armed raid at Reels amusement arcade, in High Street, West Drayton, on September 20, with two other men - Tyrone Tocher, 22, and Shabaz Razaq, 31.
Burke was also responsible for a cash-in-transit robbery at the Royal Bank of Scotland, in High Street, Uxbridge, on September 13.
During the investigation, police recovered one of the firearms the group used, clothing identical to that worn by the suspects during the raids, and stolen jewellery and cash. They were also able to prove possession of motorbikes fitting the description given by witnesses.
The guns used by the group included a Mac 10, a shotgun and a revolver.
Burke, 24, of Braybrook Street, Acton, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery was jailed for eight years.
Tocher, of Stone Crescent, Feltham, and Razaq, of White Lodge Close, Isleworth, each admitted to one robbery charge, and were given six years and four years in jail respectively.
The four men were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, October 13.
Detective Inspector Jason Prins of Barnes Flying Squad said: "These four men had absolutely no regard for their victims as they drove around on motorbikes, some of which were stolen, looking for premises to rob.
"A detailed investigation and surveillance operation carried out by the Flying Squad enabled a wealth of evidence to be gathered, which resulted in the defendants pleading guilty before trial."
