Dog was stolen during violent raid on Roehampton flat
The missing bulldog 'Blue Merle' puppy. Picture: Met Police
November 25, 2022
Despite the jailing of a gang of fake cops who undertook a violent robbery in Roehampton, a bulldog puppy they stole remains missing.
The three middle-aged men came to Arabella Drive on the morning of Monday, 29 November 2021. Two of them approached a woman in her thirties as she was leaving her flat with her three young children.
The men were wearing caps with the word ‘Police’ on the front whilst carrying friction-lock batons. One of them produced a fake identification badge and claimed to be at the address in order to conduct a drug search.
When the men were challenged by the victim, she was grabbed around the throat and forced back inside her home.
They proceeded to attack her by stamping and punching her on the floor, before tying her hands with cable-ties. They subsequently searched the address, stealing various items including cash, Christmas gifts and a two-month old female American extra-large bulldog puppy, described as ‘blue Merle’.
Extensive enquiries revealed that the members of the gang were 58-year-old Michael Cloherty of Chipperfield Road, Orpington, 50-year-ol Simon Ludlow of London Road, Mitcham, and Michael Cook, aged 53 of Northborough Road, Norbury.
By looking at CCTV footage and tracking vehicles the police were able to establish that the three men had left Ludlow’s home an hour before the attack. Association and meetings between these three men was established through call data records and further footage. It was discovered one of these meetings took place a few days prior to the incident, where the group travelled to the Roehampton area. Officers believe this was either an aborted first attempt to commit the burglary or a reconnaissance trip, to identify points of entry and cameras at the address.
After their arrests further incriminating evidence was found at their homes and they were charged with aggravated burglary. They were all found guilty following a seven day trial at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday, 9 November.
Cloherty was sentenced to 13 years in prison, Ludlow got 12 years and Cook 10.
Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the stolen puppy which despite efforts, remains outstanding.
Anyone who recognises the dog in the image or anyone who may have been offered an American Bulldog puppy for sale, should contact police. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 1837/29NOV21.
Arabella Drive, Roehampton. Picture: Google Streetview
Detective Inspector Andy Durham from Specialist Crime South, said, “These three individuals have pretended to be police officers to gain entry, before using extreme violence to rob a mother in her family home. They have caused her injuries before stealing her children’s presents and their very young beloved puppy.
“Tackling violent offenders is a priority for the Met and I am very proud with the brave support of the victim we were able to bring these violent offenders to justice and achieve sentences commensurate to their offending.”
Detective Inspector Dan Whitten from South West Command Unit, added, “This offence involved extensive planning, violence and a disregard for the impact on the vulnerable children present. The offenders clearly posed a wider risk to the public.
“I am pleased they are no longer in a position to cause such considerable harm and hope their convictions serve to reassure the local community. I’d like to commend the victim for displaying fortitude despite what must have been a terrifying ordeal and the investigating officers for their tenacity in effectively pursuing this investigation to its rightful conclusion.”
The police advise that if you are unsure about the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer you can call 101 to check their identity.
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