Armed thief caught on camera using fake handgun to rob South London mini-markets

A video shows the moment police caught up with an armed robber who used a fake handgun to terrorise corner shops across South London. Mark Hogan, 54, of no fixed abode was arrested on Rothschild Street in Norwood, just before 10am on January 31 this year, after a series of armed robberies on 10 local businesses in the West Norwood area across 10 days the same month.

He was charged with five counts of robbery and five counts of possession of a firearm at Croydon Magistrates and was remanded into custody the same day.

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At the time, Inspector Valerie Charles said officers from Specialist Crime had 'worked tirelessly' to bring him in and charge him as quickly as possible due to the impact on the local community.

Hogan, who has a history of violent crime, targeted corner shops with minimal staff and no security, using a fake black pistol to threaten shopkeepers into handing over £760 in cash. DCI Lauren Hillier said some of the shopkeepers were 'understandably shaken' and had anxiety about returning to work due to their sense of vulnerability.

'This was a calculated campaign'

"This was a calculated campaign against small business owners. Hogan showed little regard for the people he targeted, causing not just financial loss but a sense of unease among the victims and local business community, with many locking their doors between customers," said DCI Hillier.

Videos footage released by the Met this week, shows how Hogan donned a black and white Paisley bandana as a mask, grey beanie hat, dark trench coat, blue jeans, and white trainers, for many of the robberies.

Hogan's crime spree came to an end on January 18 this year when a shopkeeper - described as 'courageous' by the force - struck the firearm from his hand. Forensics were later able to link pieces of the pistol to Hogan through his DNA, while is confirming it was likely to be a fake. Police then launched a manhunt and combed through hours of CCTV and phone footage to track him down.

DCI Hillier said officers were able to put Hogan at each crime scene and build the case against him, before moving in for the arrest within a matter of days. Hogan was eventually convicted and jailed for eight years.

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