London Gang Convicted for £30k Phone Robbery Spree Targeting Mobile Stores
Four gang members have been convicted for orchestrating a series of distressing robberies that resulted in the theft of more than £30,000 worth of mobile phones from stores across London. The group specifically targeted Three and O2 outlets in multiple boroughs, including Sutton, Lewisham, and Haringey, during a spree in the summer of 2025.
Details of the Robberies and Convictions
The convicted individuals include Saleem Ramzan, aged 49, Louis Pandanzyla, aged 18, an unnamed teenager, and getaway driver Thomas Davidson, aged 71. They were found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, March 30. The gang raided six mobile phone shops across London, with incidents occurring in Lewisham, Woolwich, Wood Green, Haringey, Sutton, and Colliers Wood.
The Metropolitan Police first became aware of the crimes on May 28, when masked men demanded access to the storeroom of a Three store. Staff triggered a panic alarm, causing the group to flee. However, just an hour later, an offender forced his way into the office of another Three store, making off with tens of thousands of pounds worth of devices before escaping with an accomplice.
Between June 3 and June 7, members of the group, along with other co-conspirators, stormed several O2 and Three stores, once again intimidating staff into opening back rooms. Detectives organized a sting operation at a previously targeted O2 branch in Sutton on June 9, resulting in the capture of multiple masked men after a foot chase.
Police Response and Broader Impact
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier, from the Met’s Flying Squad, emphasized the severity of these crimes, stating, "We know how much distress these crimes cause staff and the wider impact they have on businesses in our community, which is why we are absolutely determined to stop this offending." She added that detectives worked swiftly, analyzing CCTV footage, phone data, and forensic evidence to identify and arrest the thieves.
Hillier further noted, "Their convictions should serve as a clear message to anyone who thinks they can carry out robberies: we will find you and we will bring you to justice. Londoners deserve to feel safe in their communities, and we will continue to use every tool available – including working with retail and industry partners – to protect them and ensure these violent criminals are taken off our streets."
A total of ten people have now been convicted as a result of this operation, with six having already pleaded guilty earlier in the investigation. This includes the gang’s ringleader, Sammie Govera, aged 32, who will be sentenced alongside the four aforementioned gang members at Croydon Crown Court on July 15.
Context and Crime Reduction Efforts
In related news, reported mobile phone thefts have decreased by 10,000 in the past year, according to the Metropolitan Police. This reduction follows what the force describes as the largest ever crackdown on phone thieves, involving the deployment of drones, e-bikes, and live facial recognition technology to apprehend offenders.
