Four men were sentenced on Monday, 14 November at Kingston Crown Court for conspiring to commit a series of automated teller machine (ATM) robberies, following a trial which lasted five months. They were sentenced to a total of 40 years’ imprisonment. A further six offenders – aged between 29 and 36 years old – the senior members of the organised crime group (OCG), were jailed in July 2021 and April 2022. They were sentenced to a total of 101 years’ imprisonment at the same court for their part in armed robberies across the country. Reporting restrictions were put in place covering the six offenders until all sentence outcomes were reached. Detective Constable Stephen O’Connell, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “This was an immensely complex investigation which demanded dedication and skill to manage the extensive amount of evidence. Our officers have worked day and night to achieve this outcome. I would like to thank all those involved for their dedication and professionalism. “The group caused havoc in and outside of London with high value cars being stolen and a huge amount of money laundered and spoilt. These men have since discovered that crime does not pay and thanks to the complex investigative 1 by the Flying Squad, they will instead be spending time behind bars. Investigations continue to track down and bring to justice outstanding suspects who are believed to be involved in these offences.” Those sentenced are: Brooklyn McFarlane, 27 (12.02.95) of St. John’s Drive, Wandsworth was sentenced to a total of 13 years’ imprisonment for two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery; threatening another with an offensive weapon; having an article with a blade or point; two counts of handing stolen goods and possession of an offensive weapon. Abdi Omar, 27 (01.05.95) of St. John’s Drive, Wandsworth was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery; possession of an offensive weapon and handling stolen goods. Mahdi Hashi, 29 (20.11.92) of Wandle Way, Wandsworth was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery and threatening another with an offensive weapon. Noaman Amin, 26 (25.01.96) of Aliwal Road, Clapham Junction was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery and threatening another with an offensive weapon. On 28 June 2018, the Met’s Flying Squad began to investigate an emerging linked series of robberies under Operation Atoll. Detectives undertook extended hours of covert surveillance. They also used automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and extensive analysis of the movement of phones attributed to the offenders to bring them all to justice. Armed robberies took place between May 2018 and November 2019 across London, with a fleet of stolen cars valued at £243,000 used to commit the offences. Some of the stolen cash was damaged with security dye during the robberies and rendered useless. Cash was also laundered by being used through Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in betting shops. The series of offences took place in London, Oxford, 123. On 25 November 2018, senior members of the OCG loaned McFarlane a stolen grey Volkswagen 123 Road in Feltham. The crew of the van were conducting a replenishment of the ATM at a 1 Express. McFarlane and Hashi attacked the guard using a claw hammer, repeatedly striking him around his head and upper body. The three then made off with the stolen cash box. The stolen car was abandoned nearby. They then drove the Audi a short distance to Barnela Close in Feltham where they attempted to smash 1 the cash box, triggering the box alarms. A witness in the street took photographs of Hashi driving the getaway vehicle out of the street. The suspects were unable to open the box and left it at the scene. All three were identified by detectives and on 17 December 2019 Hashi and Amin were arrested and charged as above. McFarlane was further arrested for this offence, also on 17 December 2019. In addition to the evidence obtained, McFarlane’s DNA was recovered from the driver’s airbag of a stolen Renault Capture which was stolen on 11 July 2018. He crashed it into a ditch in Kent. + Those previously convicted – and are currently in prison – are: Basil Abdul-Latif, 36 (04.12.85) was sentenced on 28 July 2021 to 22 years’ imprisonment for offences including conspiracy to commit robbery; arson and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was a leading role within the OCG. David Tesfaalem, 30 (07.01.92) was sentenced 28 July 2021 to 20 years’ imprisonment for offences including conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was a leading role within the OCG. Ibrahim Lyazi, 29 (15.06.93), was sentenced on 1 July 2021 to 18 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to cause fear of violence. Ola Orulebaja, 36 (15.10.85) of was sentenced on 1 July 2021 to 13 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to handle stolen goods. Ihab Ashaoui, 30 (01.01.92) and Adam Salman, 32 (21.07.90) were both sentenced on 28 April 2022 to 14 years’ imprisonment for offences including conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to handle stolen goods. All six were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court. Robert Hutchinson, Specialist Prosecutor from the Complex Casework Unit, said: “I am pleased that we have finally brought to justice Brooklyn McFarlane. He actively led the violent robbery of Loomis cash in transit van guardians on 27 July 2018, which he carried out with Noamin Amin and Mahdi Hashi, and planned to repeat this on 3 December 2018, this time with Abdi Omar. “The case was further complicated due to the links to a number of other related cases involving conspiracy to rob cash in transit van guardians and conspiracy to use firearms to threaten fear of violence in order to do so. “At the end of what has been a long and protracted case, exacerbated by delays caused by the pandemic, I am delighted that substantial sentences have been passed down on the individuals involved. I would like to pay tribute to all those involved for their hard work and commitment in achieving a successful conclusion.”
