Darren Thomas threatened two male cashiers with a knife

A man has been jailed after threatening staff in a Putney High Street shop and demanding money.

Darren Thomas, aged 23 of Graham Avenue, Mitcham was sentenced on Friday, 10 April at Kingston Crown Court to four years' imprisonment for robbery, attempted robbery and possessing a pointed/bladed article in a public place.

Thomas had pleaded guilty to the offences on Friday, 13 March at the same court.

At approximately 8.10am Saturday, 28 February, police were called to an attempted robbery at a convenience store on Putney High Street, following the activation of a panic alarm. Officers attended, however, the suspect, Thomas, had left the scene.

Thomas had entered the store and threatened two male cashiers with a knife and ordered them to hand over cash from their till. One of the cashiers pressed their panic alarm and Thomas fled empty handed. With the assistance of the victims, officers were able to identify the suspect in nearby Gwendolen Road.

As officers got out of the car to arrest him, Thomas made another attempt to flee on foot. After a short chase he was detained and arrested at the scene. A knife and a quantity of cash was seized from him.

Thomas was further arrested on suspicion of a robbery which occurred on the same day at approximately 8am at a convenience store in Upper Richmond Road. Two male cashiers were threatened with a knife and ordered to surrender cash from their till. A quantity of cash was stolen and the suspect fled following the activation of a panic alarm.

Thomas was charged with robbery, attempted robbery and possessing a pointed/bladed article in a public place on Monday, 2 March following an investigation led by Wandsworth CID.

Detective Inspector Gerard Frain, said, "By working together with the victims, officers were able to work fast in locating and detaining Thomas, who was a potential danger to those he encountered whilst he was in possession of a knife. Thomas made every effort to evade the police, even at the point of arrest, however he had no where to run in the end. Thomas now faces the consequences and will now begin a jail term for his callous actions."

April 10, 2015