Armed Gang Raid on Computer Shop Leads to Multiple Convictions
A planned attack on a Smethwick computer store resulted in injuries and arrests. Six men have been convicted for their roles in the armed robbery, with the final sentencing approaching.
In a brazen daylight attack that occurred on January 12, 2023, a group of armed individuals targeted City Computers in Smethwick, West Midlands. The incident, captured on CCTV, resulted in injuries to two individuals and led to a series of arrests and convictions.
The footage revealed a silver Ford Fiesta, a model known for its popularity since its introduction in 1976, arriving at the scene. Four men exited the vehicle, with two wielding axes to break the shop's windows while two others, armed with shotguns, entered the premises. The use of shotguns, typically associated with hunting and sport shooting, highlighted the severity of the crime.
One assailant discharged a firearm at a closed door before forcibly entering a back office. The attack left two men in their forties with injuries - one sustaining a gunshot wound to the arm, and the other suffering a neck injury. Fortunately, these injuries were not life-threatening.
Jamal Hussain, aged 22, from Walsall, was identified as a key participant in the operation. Following the incident, Hussain fled the country but was apprehended upon his return at Birmingham Airport in May 2023. On September 12, 2024, he received a sentence of nine years and two months at Worcester Crown Court after admitting to firearms offenses.
The investigation revealed meticulous planning by the gang. CCTV footage from the day prior to the attack showed the group scouting their route from Walsall to the vicinity of the targeted shop. This pre-attack reconnaissance, combined with mobile phone records showing communication between the gang members on the morning of the incident, provided crucial evidence for the prosecution.
Five other individuals from Walsall have also faced justice for their involvement:
- Haider Shabir, 21, sentenced to 14 years
- Mohammed Uwais Latif, 24, sentenced to 9 years and 10 months
- Mohammed Tayyib Wajid, 26, sentenced to 21 months
- Ahmed Aumair, 21, sentenced to 12 years and 6 months
- Azeem Hussain, 26, awaiting sentencing
Detective Inspector Francis Nock from the Major Crime Unit stated:
"All six men involved in this planned armed attack have been convicted. Jamal Hussain was a key player in this operation and has received a lengthy jail sentence to reflect this. This could have easily been a fatal attack but miraculously, the injuries of the two victims were not serious. Weapons have no place on our streets and we will continue to bring those to justice who think it's acceptable to use them to bring violence into our communities."
This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime and the illegal use of firearms in the UK. The successful convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of modern investigative techniques, including CCTV analysis and mobile phone tracking, in solving complex criminal cases.
