Eastbourne: Pair of thieves jailed after stealing diamond ring

CCTV footage caught the moment that Shabir Patel and Khaqan Raja entered Eastbourne Auctions in Finmere Road, Eastbourne.

They asked to see three high-value items, then grabbed the ring worth an estimated £60,000 and fled.

The footage shows Raja pretending to take a phone call and leaving, before Patel snatched the ring.

Raja admitted driving while disqualified and theft of a gold platinum and diamond ring valued between £50,000 to £100,000 (Image: Sussex Police)

They both ran into a getaway car outside and left the scene.

A witness informed police after seeing the regsitration plates on the getaway car and another car used in the operation being switched. 

Specially-trained officers at Sussex Police were then able to trace two vehicles in convoy from Lancashire.

Officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU), Roads Policing Unit, and Tactical Firearms Unit joined the operation to locate the two vehicles.

The getaway car, a Jaguar, was spotted on the A23 heading north towards Crawley at speeds of up to 120 mph.

It was located by SEU officers, who alongside RPU officers were able to safely bring the vehicle to a halt on the M23 north of Crawley.

MOST READ:

• 'Unmitigated disaster' - New Labour council leader's damning verdict on the Greens
• Pigeons and rough sleepers - 'neglected' gem of city is 'in such a bad state'
• De Zerbi asked about March setback which added injury to insult

Later, a second vehicle, a VW Bora, was stopped by Surrey Police officers on the M25 heading north towards London.

Patel and Raja were arrested, and following an investigation by Eastbourne crime investigations they were charged and remanded in custody.

At Lewes Crown Court on April 26 they were sentenced.

Raja, 36, of Roney Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, admitted driving while disqualified and theft of a gold platinum and diamond ring valued between £50,000 to £100,000.

He was jailed for a total of two years and four months.

Patel, 39, of Plane Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, admitted theft of a gold platinum and diamond ring valued between £50,000 to £100,000.

Patel admitted theft of a gold platinum and diamond ring valued between £50,000 to £100,000 (Image: Sussex Police)

He was jailed for one year.

The court was told how the incident happened at about 1.50pm on February 9 this year.

The two men were in the premises for less than ten minutes before stealing the ring.

Crucially, a witness saw them swapping registration plates in Eastbourne, which allowed the force’s radio operators to provide vital details to roads policing officers.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ciara Richardson said: “Khaqan and Patel thought they could get away with stealing a high value ring from Sussex.

“But thanks to information reported by the public and the fast response by officers, we were able to stop them.“With the weight of evidence they had no choice but to plead guilty.”

Sussex and Surrey Police’s Head of Roads Policing Superintendent Rachel Glenton said: “Our highly-trained officers from both forces showed exceptional skills and professionalism in this case.

“At one stage a vehicle was seen reaching speeds in excess of 120mph, which put the safety of other road users at high risk.

“But not only did officers manage to stop and arrest the two main offenders, they did so safely without any harm being caused to the offenders or to other members of the public.

“It demonstrates the excellence shown and highlights the teamwork of officers working together across both Surrey and Sussex Police.”