A 19-year-old Nigerian, Fawaz Oyedeji, has been sentenced to four years in prison in the United Kingdom for attempting to rob a man of his £72,500 Porsche Cayenne at gunpoint using an imitation firearm.
Oyedeji, who resides in Greenwich, London, arranged to meet the vehicle's owner after responding to an online advert for the luxury SUV, posing as a potential buyer.
The meeting took place at the victim’s residence in Southwark on Tuesday, March 18, where Oyedeji initially inspected the vehicle before joining the owner in the front seats to discuss the proposed purchase.
Police also reviewed CCTV recordings showing the suspect's movements before and after the attempted robbery. Officers subsequently recovered clothing believed to match what he wore during the incident.
Oyedeji was arrested at his residence on Leonard Robbins Path less than 38 hours after the attempted robbery.
At the conclusion of his trial at the Inner London Crown Court, a jury found him guilty after deliberating for just 26 minutes on Wednesday, November 4. He was subsequently handed a four-year prison sentence.
Detective Constable Alex Long, who led the investigation, commended the victim for standing his ground despite the threat and assisting the police in securing the conviction.
Long said the victim displayed remarkable courage by refusing to surrender the vehicle keys despite being confronted with what appeared to be a real firearm.
He explained that CCTV recordings, digital evidence and forensic findings were instrumental in establishing Oyedeji's involvement and securing his conviction.
The detective also advised members of the public to exercise caution when buying or selling vehicles privately, urging them to abandon any transaction that raises suspicion and contact emergency services where necessary.
