Two brothers caught flashing cash and white gold ring snatched during a ruthless Costco armed robbery in which a brave security guard was shot in the stomach in front of horrified colleagues have been locked up.
A five-strong gang armed with a hammer and shotgun smashed a display cabinet containing £70,000 worth of jewellery after bursting into the Imperial Way, Croydon store on September 17, last year.
Jobless Yohan Clarke, 31, (pic.l.) was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 22 year minimum after pleading guilty to conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm with intent to rob and inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on the 24 year-old guard.
His brother, Yamani Clarke, 23, (pic.r.) of Crowther Road, South Norwood, pleaded guilty to handling the proceedings of the robbery and was sentenced to 40 months.
Croydon Crown Court heard the gang threatened staff and used a claw hammer to smash a triple glazed display cabinet containing the jewellery - including a single 18-carat white gold ring valued at about £3,500.
While being chased from the store one of the robbers shot the employee in the abdomen and waved the gun as if warning staff not to continue following.
They then ran off across Purley Way and through some fields.
The wounded employee was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency life saving surgery to remove cartridge from near his aorta.
He also suffered blast injuries to his colon, gun shot wounds to his bowel, stomach, pancreas and spent a substantial time in intensive care.
Eight days later police in Redhill, Surrey stopped a car containing Yohan Clarke and seized a digital camera.
Analysis of the camera's memory card revealed photographs of the Clarke brothers posing with wads of cash and the ring taken during the Costco robbery.
Detective Inspector Neil Williams of the Met’s Flying Squad said: “I am pleased with the sentences and pleased that a dangerous criminal will be spending a substantial amount of time away from the public.
“This incident could have easily turned into a murder enquiry and whilst we always encourage people to dial 999 in an emergency, I applaud the bravery of staff in Costco who intervened on that day and helped to give first aid.
“Enquiries to trace the three outstanding suspects and various items of jewellery continue and I am appealing to anyone who may have information that could help us to contact the police and ensure that all of the violent individuals involved in the robbery are brought to justice.”
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