Zombie Knife-Wielding Gang Busted for £440k Rolex Heist on Regent Street
Wayne Russell, 23, was slammed with four years behind bars at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 28 January. The no-fixed-address crook pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery. He picked up an extra 16 months for carrying an offensive weapon, serving both sentences at the same time.
Speedy Police Take-Down After Daring Luxury Watch Raid
On 5 June 2018, Russell and five mates stormed Watches of Switzerland on Regent Street in a brazen smash-and-grab. They tore in on three mopeds and a motorbike. One moped smashed through the shop’s front doors, blocking security from shutting up shop.
Three men, armed with sledgehammers, bashed open five display cabinets and grabbed 35 high-end Rolex watches worth around £440,000.
Russell, meanwhile, hung back outside holding a massive zombie knife, acting as lookout and scaring off security and shoppers.
Quick Getaway Foiled by Police and CCTV Clues
The alarm blared and the gang fled on their bikes in different directions. A nearby police unit gave chase. Russell ditched his bike and ran on foot, but officers soon found a zombie knife abandoned on Regent Street.
Police recovered CCTV footage showing Russell taking off his gloves, tossing his jacket in a bin, and sneaking into a nearby Five Guys on Argyll Street.
After a media appeal, the footage helped identify Russell as a key suspect in 2020, leading to his arrest.
Accomplice Nabbed with Stolen Watches in Rucksack
Jamie Farrell, 34, from Islington, was jailed for eight years back in July 2018. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and carrying a bladed weapon. Farrell was caught near the scene after a police chase, dropping a backpack with 11 of the stolen Rolexes.
Detective Sergeant Gary Taylor said: “This was a brazen robbery which not only left the store significantly out of profit but also left staff fearing for their lives.
“I hope this result demonstrates our commitment to tackling violent crime and disrupting criminal gangs who think they can get away with this kind of behaviour. We will do everything in our power to identify those involved and bring them to justice so that they can cause no further harm on the streets of the capital.”
