|
|
 |
| |
Scooter gang raider jailed for designer shop swoops
A MEMBER of a scooter gang has been jailed for 26 months for his part in late-night, smash-and-grab raids on shops selling designer goods across central London.
Matthew Pitt, 24, of Arundel Square, Holloway, was among raiders who targeted the Mulberry and Louis Vuitton shops in Mayfair, escaping with a £27,000 haul, Southwark Crown Court heard last week.
Pitt was caught when police raided his flat, discovering £19,000 worth of stolen goods. Suspicions were aroused when they spotted him using a designer key ring from one of the stores.
Nick Mather, for the prosecution, told the court: “This defendant is a sophisticated, professional burglar. He is part of a gang responsible for a significant number of raids in the West End. They deliberately targeted shops with high-value, desirable consumer goods.”
The court heard how the gang used sledgehammers to smash into the stores in the middle of the night. They fled on a fleet of mopeds.
It is believed that luxury handbags, some worth £1,000, were sold on the black market.
The gang raided the Mulberry store in New Bond Street in front of numerous passers-by. Mr Mather said: “It was captured on CCTV but it was impossible to identify who was involved as they were wearing motorcycle helmets.”
Less than an hour after the first raid, Pitt, the only member of the gang to be caught so far, was seen tending to his moped at Western Rise estate in Islington. Police found handbags, three helmets, clothing and a sledgehammer in a car nearby. Five months later, Pitt and others ransacked the Louis Vuitton store.
Pitt admitted two counts of burglary and one of handling stolen goods. |
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
