South London serial robber who targeted Sidcup, Sydenham, Gipsy Hill and Croydon jailed

A prolific burglar who also carried out a gunpoint robbery for a valuable watch has been jailed of a series of offences committed in south London and Kent.

Adam Yaroo, 32, of Catford Hill, prowled the streets of South London looking for people to steal from and carried out a string of offences during an eight-month crime spree.
He was sentenced to a total of 13 years’ imprisonment after admitting to the following offences:

– Burglary – 15 August 2017 – Hurst Road, Sidcup.
– Burglary – 15 August 2017 – Hurst Road Sidcup.
– Burglary – 2 October 2017 – Panmure Road, Sydenham
– Burglary – 19 January 2018 – Farquhar Road, Gipsy Hill
– Theft of motor vehicle – 19 January 2018 – Farquhar Road, Gipsy Hill
– Driving whilst disqualified – 25 January 2018 – Coulsdon Road, Croydon.
– Burglary and theft – 25 January 2018 – Coulsdon Road, Croydon.
– Robbery – 21 March 2018 – London Road, Croydon.
– Driving whilst disqualified – 21 March 2018 – London Road, Croydon.
– Possession of a firearm whilst committing Schedule 1 offence – 21 March 2018 – London Road, Croydon.
– Driving whilst disqualified – 14 April 2018 – Upper Selsdon Road, Croydon.
– Burglary and theft -14 April 2018 – Upper Selsdon Road, Croydon.
– Possession of cannabis – 2 May 2018 – Catford Hill, Lewisham.
– Possession of a prohibited weapon (disguised firearm) – 2 may 2018 – Catford Hill, Lewisham.
– Recall to prison after release on licence which has been revoked.

He entered guilty pleas at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 15 October.

The Croydon Crime Squad led on an investigation into a gunpoint robbery which happened in London Road, Croydon, on 21 March.

The victim – a 51-year-old man – was sat in his car when he was approached by a single male suspect on a motorcycle who pointed a gun at him and demanded his watch. Yaroo was identified as the suspect, and a proactive operation was launched to trace and arrest him.

In the early hours of 2 May, Yaroo was detained and arrested by armed officers in Catford Hill. A search of the defendants home address revealed the handgun used in the robbery, substantial amount of cash and proceeds from residential burglaries committed across London and the home counties.

Further searches of other properties across London resulted in the getaway bike used during the robbery being located and seized.

Items stolen by Yaroo included Rolex watches, pearls, diamonds, gold and silver jewellery, computer tablets and mobile phones, cameras and a car.

Detective Inspector Dan O’Sullivan of Croydon CID said: “This was a difficult and protracted investigation which commenced after a gunpoint robbery in Croydon on 21 March. After an initial reactive investigation there were limited lines of enquiries but the team working incredibly hard and ensured no stone was left unturned.

“I hope today’s sentence acts as a deterrent to criminals who use firearms. During the 21 March robbery, he pulled a firearm on a member of the public in broad daylight. This type of terrifying, brazen criminality is rare but it is our job to bring people like Yaroo to justice, and today’s sentence is the culmination of the diligent work of the investigation team.”

+ Yaroo was sentenced to six years and four months’ imprisonment for the robbery and Imitation firearm offences relating to the 21 March incident, and six years and eight months’ imprisonment for the other offences – each to run consecutively.