Four-Hour Police Stand-Off Ends in Jail for Reading Thieves
Reading Crown Court was rocked by the shocking behaviour of three young thieves who staged a four-hour siege against police, even making chilling references to the tragic death of Pc Andrew Harper.
Violent Siege on Police at Reading Flat
On December 8 last year, armed police descended on a flat on Caversham Road, Reading, at 5.40am. The suspects – Vuitton “Tom” Robbins, 18, Akay Coaker, 20, and Reiss James, 21 – were wanted for a string of bike and electric bike thefts across Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Instead of surrendering, the trio barricaded themselves inside and launched a violent assault. They hurled missiles, boiling water, plant pots, a kettle, glass items, and even radiators at officers. This “pure act of hatred,” prosecutors said, forced the closure of a nearby primary school for safety.
Chilling Threats and Attempts to Ignite Gas Meter
During the stand-off, one defendant shouted: “An officer is getting murdered, don’t worry, it’s a Newbury thing!” — a sick nod to Pc Andrew Harper, who was dragged to death during a burglary in 2019.
The gang also tried to set the property’s gas meter ablaze, hoping to cause an explosion or attack officers more fiercely.
Sentences Handed Down for Theft, Arson & Violent Disorder
Robbins was the ringleader. He faced six theft charges totalling nearly £20,000 and five burglaries worth over £10,000. He also admitted arson, criminal damage, and two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm.
James pleaded guilty to seven thefts (£18,290) and five burglaries (£3,860), plus violent disorder and criminal damage. Coaker was cleared of violent disorder but guilty of damaging the flat.
Robbins received five and a half years in a youth offenders’ institution, Coaker got 22 months, and James awaits sentencing on September 6.
