Armani Gunman Caught By Police

A gunman, caught with a firearm in his Armani designer bag, is starting a five-year prison sentence.

Aristotle Omar, 23, of Wellington Avenue, Upper Edmonton pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

Detective Inspector Glenn Butler, from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime North team, said: “As part of an investigation into firearm offences, my team were able to arrest Omar and recover a firearm and ammunition that could very easily have been used to seriously injure or kill someone. 

“Thanks to a lot of proactive work, with the support of colleagues from the Met’s Firearms Command, we were able to arrest him safely and recover a lethal weapon.”

Wood Green Crown Court heard on the afternoon of Thursday, March 5 at approximately 5.40pm, Omar was seen leaving his home address carrying the black Armani manbag.

Omar was seen to enter the alleyway which leads through from Wellington Avenue to Eastbournia Avenue. 

He was observed clutching the bag as he entered Barrowfield Close, however officers lost sight of him as he ran through Barrowfield Close.

At this point, specialist firearms officers pursued Omar as he ran through an alleyway onto Montagu Road, where he was then detained in a park area just off of Zambezi Drive.

DI Butler, added: “When Omar was arrested, he did not have the bag - that we had seen moments earlier - on him, so officers scoured the vicinity to find it. 

“It just so happened that it had been raining all day so the floor was soaked.

“Underneath a hedge at the corner of Barrowfield Close we found the bag. It stood out as it had clearly been dumped there, it was bone dry and everything around it wet.”

When officers opened the bag, they found a firearm (a revolver) and five rounds of ammunition.

DI Butler, added: “The evidence placed in front of Omar was indisputable and he pleaded guilty. 

“This saved a lot of time, allowing my officers to return back to their duties, continuing to target those involved in serious firearm criminality, retrieving further dangerous weapons from our streets and protecting those that live in London.”

Midnight Bus Spitter Hunted

Police are hunting a fare-dodging bus passenger, who spat at the driver during a midnight confrontation.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Command have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

At approximately 00.30am on Saturday, March 21, three men and a woman boarded a 68 bus travelling towards Camberwell on Walworth Road without payment.

Upon asking the group to pay, they refused and began to argue with the bus driver.

During this encounter, one of the men approached the driver at spat at him through the holes in the driver’s divide.

The group then exited the bus.

Officers are asking that anyone who recognises the suspect to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quoting CRIS 3009008/20.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Banned Burglar Jailed For Three Break-Ins

A burglar banned from the City of Westminster has been jailed for flouting the order and breaking into three shops.

Michael Daulat, 39, received eight months imprisonment.

At Southwark Crown Court he pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and breaching a criminal behaviour order.

The court heard that he smashed the window of a shop in St. Christopher's Place in August, 2019 and stole £140 worth of clothing.

He targeted another shop in the same street in January, this year, throwing a brick through the window and stealing over £2,800 worth of clothing and bags.

In February he approached a shop in New Cavendish Street and again smashed the window, stealing £3,000 worth of designer goods.

Officers from the Central West BCU Burglary Unit launched an investigation and identified Daulat through CCTV and forensic evidence.

Detective Sergeant Pete Lower said: "This is an example to our businesses and community that burglary and theft will absolutely not be tolerated. 

“Those committing such offences can expect to arrested and put before the courts."

Luton Terrorist Pleads Guilty

A wannabe terrorist's plans ended when police raided his Luton home, seizing 2kg of sulphur powder and electronic components.

Appearing on videolink at the Old Bailey Filip Golon Bednarczyk, 26, admitted multiple charges.

He pleaded guilty to seven counts of possession of documents of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Bednarczyk also pleaded guilty to one count of making or possession of explosive(s) under suspicious circumstances, contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substance Act.

He was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command at his home address on December 11, last year.

There was also evidence of online searches for firearms, knives and killings, plus an interest in right-wing extremism.

He charged with the eight indictments six days later on December 17. 

Bednarczyk was remanded in custody, ahead of sentencing at the Old Bailey on a date to be confirmed.

OAP Murder Investigation: Neighbour Charged

Anthony Rooks

A local man has been charged with the murder of a north London octogenarian, who died from a head injury.

Anthony Rooks, 80, was pronounced dead on May 4 at an address in Dalmeny Road, Holloway.

Neighbour Sable Thomas, 42, of Dalmeny Road appeared in custody at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey.

Police were called at approximately 7.20pm on Monday, May 4 to reports of a man collapsed and suffering a head injury at the address.

Metropolitan Police officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.

Next of kin have been informed and formal identification has taken place.

A post mortem examination took place at Whittington Hospital on Thursday, May 7.

Prolific Burglar Caged For Multiple Break-Ins

An audacious burglar, who threatened victims with a knife and carried on raiding one property when warned he was on camera, has been locked-up.

John James Courtney, 44, of Longbridge Road, Dagenham, received four years’ imprisonment for four burglaries carried out between August, 2019 and January this year.

Targeting properties in west and central London, Courtney stole property worth £27,600, including £15,800 worth of items from just one address. 

He was identified after his DNA was found at or near all of the scenes.

During one break-in Courtney continued stealing items despite the resident advising him on camera that he was calling the police. 

During another incident he threatened occupants with a knife when they interrupted him.

On August 31, last year Courtney struck at an address in Linden Gardens, Paddington. 

While the occupant was out, he broke into the property and stole a number of high value items of jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, rings and a watch. 

In addition, he took two laptops and a designer handbag. 

The total value of items stolen was £15,800. 

A blood smear discovered on the door lock was tested and provided a positive match to Courtney.

On September 30, Courtney was in the process of carrying out a burglary in Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia when he was interrupted by the occupants returning home. 

As they made efforts to detain him, Courtney grabbed a knife, lunging at one of the occupants. 

A struggle ensued, during which Courtney’s glasses were broken. 

Both this and the knife - which he dropped while running from the property - were recovered by officers and proved vital in linking him to the incident.

October 16, the resident of a property in Queens Gardens, Paddington received notification via his mobile phone that a camera inside the property had been activated. 

Viewing the live CCTV footage, he saw Courtney in the process of burgling his address. 

He communicated through the device to alert Courtney that he was calling police. 

Despite this Courtney continued before leaving the address. 

However, he left a mobile phone at the scene, which officers were able to link him too forensically.

January 10, Courtney stole a laptop and items of jewellery including a Rolex watch from a residence in Clifton Road, Maida Vale. 

A piece of wood left at the scene and used by Courtney to force entry to the address were found. 

The total value of items stolen was £11,200.

Though officers from the Central West Burglary Unit were quick to link Courtney to the offences, and despite extensive inquiries to trace him, he remained elusive. 

Then on February 11 he was spotted and detained by police.

Wheels Come Off Cocaine And 'Speed' Dealer's Enterprise

A drug dealer, caught by police with a kilo of cocaine in his car sixty miles from home, has been jailed for three years.

Gavin Hills, 50, of London Street, Folkestone, Kent, was stopped in New Road, Rainham, Essex by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP).

The OCP deals with organised crime and the supply of illegal drugs within London and the home counties. 

The partnership is staffed by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and the National Crime Agency.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that at 8.05am on Thursday, November 7, last year officers stopped Hills as part of an intelligence-led investigation.

The officers found a bag underneath the front passenger seat. 

The bag contained a block of cocaine wrapped in two plastic bags.

Following his arrest, officers searched his home address in Folkestone.

They seized a number of items including mobile phones, electronic scales and a knife with what appeared to be drug traces on it.

There were also several containers that contained a white amphetamine powder – including a block of compressed amphetamine powder found in a freezer.

During his time in custody, Hills was uncooperative and failed to communicate with custody staff. 

As a result, he was interviewed in his cell, but he refused to answer all the questions put to him, including why he was more than 60 miles away from home with a kilogram of cocaine. 

The court heard that officers believed Hills was in the Rainham area dealing drugs.

Hills pleaded guilty to possession of a cocaine, with intent to supply and possession of amphetamine, with intent to supply.

Detective Inspector Guy Carmichael said: “This investigation is a great example of joint partnership working which resulted in a drug dealer being put behind bars and two kilograms of drugs being taken off the streets of London, which otherwise could have ruined lives. 

“Hills refused to engage with officers throughout the investigation and has shown no remorse for his actions.

“Hills has been given a substantial sentence and I hope this will deter others from the allure of drug dealing. 

“Even during these challenging times, we will continue to target those involved in organised crime and the supply of illegal drugs and we will take robust action against them.”

Violent Fare Dodger Jailed

A fare-dodging bus passenger, who racially abused the driver and spat at a police officer, has been jailed.

Spencer James 42, repeatedly punched the drivers' security screen – cutting his hand and smearing it with blood – after he was challenged.

He pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates Court to assaulting the officer, racially aggravated assault and using threatening words or behaviour.

He was sentenced to 42 weeks' imprisonment.

The court heard police were called to a bus on Wealdstone High Street, Harrow, at 2.30pm on March 31 to reports of a man acting aggressively.

It was reported by the bus driver that James had boarded the bus and then sat down without paying for his journey.

When the bus driver told him to pay or get off the bus, James started to act extremely aggressively.
He shouted racist insults at the driver, who then radioed through to the control room to request police assistance.

James continued to act aggressively and punched the screen of the driver's cab four times, with such force he cut his hand and smeared blood on it. 

He then spat at the screen and in the tray of the driver's cab.

Officers arrived and managed to locate James and he was arrested. 

He continued to shout racist abuse at the bus driver and then spat at a police officer.

Further officers arrived at the scene and a spit hood was placed on James. 

He was taken into custody and he was charged.

Detective Sergeant Ian Beattie, of the Metropolitan Police's Road and Transport Policing Command, said: "This was a particularly nasty incident that involved James spitting at a bus driver and a police constable who were carrying out their public duties.

"In the current climate, where everyone is making efforts to stay safe and protect themselves and others, this behaviour is particularly thoughtless and deplorable.

"Any reports of this nature will be dealt with robustly; this sort of behaviour will simply not be tolerated.”

Siwan Hayward, Director of Compliance, Policing and On-street Services at TfL, said: “We are absolutely disgusted by this vicious, threatening assault that left a valued colleague feeling shaken. 

“That anyone could consider spitting at and racially abusing frontline workers during this national health emergency is deeply shocking.

“We welcome James’s sentencing and hope it sends a strong message that abuse won’t be tolerated on our network. 

“Our bus drivers are nothing short of heroic, supporting the efforts to tackle coronavirus by providing transport for critical workers in the NHS, who are saving lives. 

“Safety is our absolute priority and we will continue doing all that we can to protect our staff.”

Triple Crown: Pub Customer Hunted For Three Assaults

Police are hunting this suspect after a violent pub customer attacked three members of staff.

One victim had a glass smashed into his face and was punched to the floor; the second was left with a cut eye and the third knocked unconscious.

Detectives from the Central East Command Unit are continuing to appeal to identify this man. 

The assaults took place inside the Three Crowns pub, Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington at around 1.20am on Saturday, November 9, last year.

A customer became involved in an argument with a 32-year-old male member of staff.

The man smashed a glass in the face of the member of staff and then punched him to the floor, inflicting a number of deep cuts to his face.

The man then assaulted a second member of staff, a man in his twenties, punching him and causing a cut to his left eye.

The suspect then left the venue, but as he left he turned and punched a third member of staff, a 28-year-old man, knocking him unconscious.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, aged around 30 years-old and of slim/athletic build with a short dark beard and dark 'frizzy' hair that was tied back in a bunch.

He was wearing a beige short sleeved t-shirt, silver necklace, light trousers and dark shoes, carrying a thick dark coat with fur lined hood.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 618/09NOV.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers online at crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111.

Spitter Jailed For Hotel Ruck

A hotel yob, who threatened staff with a broken bottle and spat at one of them after being told not to urinate against the building, has been caged.

Nicolae-Raul Cozacu, 43, was arrested and also spat in the face of a police officer.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment.

Cozacu pleaded guilty to assaulting the hotel employee and the officer as well as threatening behaviour, with intent to cause fear and provoke unlawful violence.

Police were called at 2.30pm on Monday, March 23 to Empire Way, Brent, after Cozacu threatened staff at the hotel.

He had been caught by a staff urinating against the wall of the hotel and refused to leave.

He then attempted to access a hotel laundry area that he had no reason to be in.

Again he was confronted and escorted off the premises, at which point he became abusive and threatening.

He grabbed a bottle of alcohol, smashed it and tried to chase staff members, threatening that he would kill them.

A member of staff tried to deescalate the situation and negotiate with Cozacu, who then spat in his face.

Police arrived and Cozacu was arrested. 

He became ill and went to hospital, where he again became aggressive and abusive and spat in the face of an officer.

He was arrested upon discharge and remanded in custody.

Inspector Sammi Elfituri, of North West Command Unit, said: "Spitting at people, including emergency workers, is thoroughly disgusting and completely unacceptable behaviour, especially given the current climate.

"Those who behave this way will be always be pursued by the MPS to the fullest extent of the law. 

“I am glad the courts have taken a robust stance to protect both the public and our staff.”