An armed robber in Croydon targeted a bank in a “terrifying” raid.

An armed robber from Croydon has been jailed after targeting a bank in a “terrifying” cash raid. Mohammed Basheeru was sentenced to 12 years in prison after a quick analysis of evidence helped police identify him.

Basheeru, 44, also known as Sonni Reid, of London Road, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, June 28, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing. Police were called at 11.26am on Monday 14th February to reports of an armed robbery at a mainline bank in Sydenham.

The court heard two men wearing face masks entered the premises and demanded the cashier open the register while she had a gun pointed at her by his accomplice. The two stole a quantity of cash and made off with the money on Venner Road where they were seen by a witness.

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Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad seized CCTV footage which captured the two men four minutes later on a road near the incident in a car heading away from the scene. Officers determined that the same vehicle was used to pick up Basheeru from his home address before driving to the bank.

CCTV footage from inside the bank showed suspects entering the bank. Officers were able to identify Basheeru using the footage by the slight deformity on his left ear, as he was already known to them.

The evidence gathered led to Basheeru being interviewed, where he denied any involvement in the robbery. He was charged with the offense and pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on 9 April 2024.

Dorian Rankine, 43 (10.08.80) of Beulah Road, Thornton Heath, appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, January 27, 2023, where he pleaded guilty to robbery and two unrelated robberies. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Detective Constable Craig Prout of the Flying Squad said: “This was a terrifying incident for those involved. We are grateful for their support, which has now meant that the two criminals have been brought to justice.”