Three jailed for ‘brazen’ smash-and-grab robberies in London’s West End

Three men have been jailed following a string of “brazen” smash-and-grab robberies in London’s West End, police said.

Five robberies were carried out at high-end fashion stores over a period of three months between November 2025 and January 2026, in which robbers used stolen vehicles to smash the storefronts before storming the premises, the Metropolitan Police said.

Footage released by the force on Thursday showed vehicles reversing into the shop’s display windows and robbers rushing inside to grab as much goods as they could carry before fleeing.

Max Tyson, 26, and Ryan Brough, 34, were sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday to three years and four months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Harry Johnson, 25, was jailed for one year and 10 months after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods.

Max Tyson, Ryan Brough and Harry Johnson have been jailed following a string of smash-and-grab robberies

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Two other men, Sonny Stringer, 29, and Olivier Ndayizeie, 36, received suspended prison sentences at the same court after respectively pleading guilty to handling stolen goods and encouraging or assisting an offence.

The damage caused to the shops, along with the cost of the stolen items, tallied up to £1 million, police said.

During the Lora Piana robbery on December 16 2025, the gang stole more than 105 items including handbags, clothing, boots, and a coat worth more than £30,000, with the total value of products stolen coming to nearly £385,000.

CCTV footage of the robbery at Bottega Veneta

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CCTV footage of the robbery at Lora Piana

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The police investigation later found that the gang often had to sell the stolen goods for a significantly lower value, with detective uncovering messages that showed Tyson once received only £1,800 for items worth more than £30,000.

The Met’s Flying Squad officers found through CCTV, forensics, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition footage that the group used several stolen vehicles to carry out the robberies.

Officers also found that one of the vehicles used to ram a shop was insured to Ndayizeie, of Freegrove Road in Islington, and DNA from the scene was identified as that of Max Tyson.

The investigation also led officers to a shop in Cornwall where Tyson, of St Peters Street in Islington, had travelled to avoid detection.

But officers later found receipts in his name showing stolen items had been re-sold for thousands of pounds to the shop.

Tyson and Brough, of Courtney Road, Islington, were arrested on January 23 2026, the same day as the last robbery at an YSL shop in Bond Street.

CCTV footage showed the attempted robbery at YSL

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Stringer, of Essex Road, Islington, was arrested on January 26, while Johnson, of Tilney Gardens, and Ndayizeie were arrested on February 10.

Detective Constable Will Wigzell, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “These robberies have a lasting impact on businesses, their staff and the wider community, affecting livelihoods as well as causing significant emotional and financial harm through the threats, violence and intimidation involved.

“This organised crime group carried out a series of brazen smash-and-grab robberies across some of London’s busiest shopping districts.

“They carefully planned their offences, using stolen vehicles and mopeds in an attempt to evade detection, but thanks to the determination and expertise of Flying Squad detectives, they were identified and brought to justice.

“These sentences mark a significant milestone in what has been a detailed and determined investigation.

“I hope they demonstrate our commitment to tackling smash-and-grab robberies in London by pursuing those involved, wherever they are.”