West Midlands Gang Busted After Brutal Kent Shop Robbery
Brutal Attack on Lone Shop Worker
Dedawan Kakel and his gang drove all the way from the West Midlands in a BMW to hit a community shop in Kent on March 8, 2021. At around 7.30pm, Kakel and three accomplices stormed a shop on Darnley Road, where just one employee was working.
Inside, one of the thugs smashed the victim with a cricket bat, knocking him to the floor. While down, the worker was viciously attacked by the group. One assailant had a knife, and in a desperate defense, the victim even cut his own hand.
Robbers Escape with Cash but Leave Clues
The gang grabbed a hefty sum from the till and fled. Police quickly identified the suspects’ BMW from CCTV footage, pinpointing their parked car in Dart Close, just moments from the scene. Further footage showed Kakel in the passenger seat near Blue Bell Hill, sealing his fate.
Kakel Caught and Locked Up
Kakel, 25, from Princes Road, Middlesbrough, Teeside, was arrested on July 21, 2021. Charged with robbery the same day, he denied all claims at Maidstone Crown Court. But after a six-day trial, he was convicted and sentenced to four years behind bars on July 4, 2022.
“This group of violent criminals travelled a long distance to target a lone Kent shop worker, and their cowardly attack caused serious injuries to the victim,” said PC Emma Laimbeer, lead investigator.
“Our investigations across the West Midlands and Teeside uncovered the gang’s identity. Kakel’s arrest sends a clear message: Kent will relentlessly pursue violent offenders,” added the prosecutor.
