Today, Solomun Beyene, 25 and Clinton Mogg, 43 have been found guilty of conspiracy to rob after they were arrested for involvement in the biggest jewelry heist ever pulled in the United Kingdom.
It was August of 2009 when £40m of diamonds were stolen from the Graff store in central London. After security cameras caught the faces of suspicious men on camera, a number of witnesses came forth including an innovent make-up artist, hired to alter their appearances before the robbery.
Thomas Thomas, 46, and Aman Kassaye, 25, have already been convicted of conspiracy to rob at a hearing earlier this year. Kassaye has also been found guilty of kidnapping and posession of a firearm.
According to reports, Martin Leggatt, shop manager was forced to lie spread-eagle on the store-room floor with a gun pointed at his head.
During the break-in, it was Mr. Kassaye who held Petra Ehnar, a worker at the Graff store, at gunpoint as she handed over items on display. She handed over a total of 43 pieces of jewelry including diamond neckalces, diamond earrings and watches. She told police that she was "petrified" during the entire ordeal.
"I could still feel the gun being pushed into by back...I felt the men would shoot, I really did..." said Ms. Ehnar.
Ms.Ehnar was then taken out into the street as hostage, held at gunpoint, as the robbers attempted to make their getaway. Mr. Kassaye fired shots during their getaway at one of the security guards who chased after the armed men.
The stolen jewels have yet to be recovered. Police are still in search of a motorcyclist riding a gold Suzuki SV650 who was handed the black plastic container which held the stolen gems seconds after the heist. He was riding a gold Suzuki SV650 which he abandoned in Berkeley Square not long after the robbery.
A reward of £1 million is still standing for anyone who can provide leading information in the case.
