Woodford Green: Man jailed after £100k robbery at elderly couple’s home
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A robber, who forced his way into a couple’s home by masquerading as a government official, has been jailed for eight years following a swift investigation by Essex Police detectives.
Johnny Boy Doherty and two other men forced their way into the Woodford Green house in January this year after the homeowner asked to see their credentials.
Wearing face coverings, the trio told the victim, who is aged in his 80s, they were armed and would use weapons if they did not comply.
They demanded money and started searching round the house. One of the men went upstairs and discovered the victim’s wife and again demanded to know where the money was being kept.
After starting to ransack the room, he found a bag which contained a large amount of cash.
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"stole family jewellery and cash"
The trio also grabbed a large amount of valuable jewellery and other items including a phone and bank card before fleeing the scene with an estimated £100,000 worth of goods.
The second victim, who is aged in her 70s, told police following the robbery she had sold some of the family’s jewellery for cash days before.
Essex Police launched an investigation, and early enquiries revealed the gang had used a car stolen in the Metropolitan Police area.
The forces worked together to gather intelligence and in April the 26-year-old was stopped by Met Police officers in Hayes and arrested.
Doherty, of High Street, Feltham, refused to answer any questions during interview, but was left with no option but to plead guilty.
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He was sentenced to serve 8 years and 3 months in prison for one count of robbery and given a restraining order not to contact the victims.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Alexander Cove, from Loughton CID, said:
"This was a frightening experience for the couple and was exacerbated by the fact that it happened in their own home.
"Doherty and his accomplices initially tried to trick the victim, before using violence to force their way into their home and searching for cash and jewellery.
"This couple’s home was clearly targeted by Doherty and his accomplices. Using CCTV and other tactics we worked closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to locate him and ensure he was arrested, charged and brought before the courts.
"Let us be clear, anyone who comes to Essex to commit crime will be fully investigated and we will work hard to ensure they face justice."
Our investigation to locate the other suspects involved in this incident is ongoing and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact us.
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