Armed robber who terrorised bookmakers across South London jailed for eight years 

A “dangerous” offender who committed a string of armed robberies at bookmakers across South London has been jailed.

Michael Lindo, 41, of no fixed address, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, having pleaded guilty to 15 offences including nine armed robberies. He will serve a minimum of eight years.

Lindo hit nine bookies from Croydon to Brixton, robbing just over £9,000.

The offences spanned from May to September 2022 and all followed a similar pattern where Lindo would enter the premises, with his face hidden by a mask, approach the counter and demand cash from the cashier whilst pointing an imitation firearm at them before fleeing.

Detective Sergeant Paul Bartlett, Flying Squad, said: “Lindo is a prolific and dangerous man who thought nothing of terrifying the victims in these incidents in order to get what he wanted.

“These are people who were going about their work as normal when they were thrust into situations in which they feared for their lives. 

“The effects of these kind of incidents can’t be underestimated, there may be no physical injury but the psychological impact can be devastating.

“It is no exaggeration to say that London is a safer place with him behind bars.”

An investigation began after officers noticed similarities between the incidents. They identified Lindo as a suspect and in September 2022 officers started surveillance on him.

He was seen approaching a bookmakers in London Road, Tooting on September 20, 2022, before using a suspected firearm to threaten staff and demand cash. Firearms officers then arrested Lindo.

The firearm he was using was examined and found to be a convincing looking imitation.

CCTV, surveillance, witness, forensic and mobile phone evidence gathered during the course of investigation left Lindo with no choice but to plead guilty. He had been on licence having served six years of an 11-year sentence for a previous armed robbery offence.

A passage from the sentencing note read: “The defendant generally targeted premises where there were no customers, often when there was a lone female member of staff working and often when the premises were opening or towards closing time. 

“There were in total 11 different members of staff who were the victims of these robberies, some of whom suffered serious psychological harm”.

Pictured top: Michael Lindo (Picture: The Met)