Masked robber threatened Sydenham bank cashier with gun

A cashier at a high street bank branch in Sydenham was threatened with a gun during an armed robbery.

Two men have now been jailed for the robbery which took place on the morning of Monday, February 14, 2022.

At around 11am two men wearing face coverings entered the Lloyds Bank branch on Sydenham High Street.

One of the men demanded the cashier open the till while his accomplice pointed a gun at her.

The men stole cash then ran away down Venner Road where they entered a car and left the area.

But enquiries led police officers to Mohammed Basheeru’s door.

Officers established that the getaway vehicle was used to collect 44-year-old Basheeru from his home on London Road, Croydon, before travelling towards the bank.

Basheeru was also identified by officers on CCTV due to a slight deformity on his left ear.

The other bank robbery Dorian Rankine, 43, of Beulah Road in Thornton Heath, was also tracked down.

They each pleaded guilty to robbery.

Basheeru was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a judge at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (June 28).

Mohammed Basheeru, also known as Sonni Reid (Image: Met Police)

Rankine was sentenced to 10 years in prison in January last year.

Detective Constable, Craig Prout from the Flying Squad said: “This was a terrifying incident for the people involved.

“We’re grateful for their support, which has now meant that the two offenders have been brought to justice.”

Lloyds bank branch on Sydenham High Street has shut down since the robbery took place.