Two arrested over raid at Richmond jewellers a day before robbery victim found dead in Surrey

A man and a woman, both aged in their 30s, were arrested in connection with the robbery of high-value watches.

Thursday 30 May 2024 18:46, UK

Two people have been arrested by police investigating a robbery at a jewellers.

Two men entered 247 Kettles on Kew Road, Richmond, south London, at around 2.50pm on Saturday 25 May.

They assaulted a member of staff and stole high-value watches, before fleeing the scene.

The victim, 27-year-old Oliver White, was not seriously injured in the attack but was found dead in Surrey the following day.

His death is being investigated by Surrey Police, who say it is not being treated as suspicious.

The Metropolitan Police said today that a woman, aged in her 30s, was arrested and then released under investigation.

A man, also aged in his 30s, was arrested on Wednesday and bailed pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: "First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Mr White's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.

"We would ask that they are given the privacy they need to grieve."

He said police are still looking to speak to two men believed to have been caught on CCTV footage of the robbery.

One of the men has multiple tattoos and is wearing a black and white T-shirt with sunglasses on his head. His accomplice is wearing a grey hoodie and ripped blue jeans.

"The images we have provided are good quality and someone must recognise the men we need to speak to," DCI Mather said.

"If you don't want to contact police, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously."

On Wednesday, the owners of 247 Kettles said Mr White "should never have been alone" in the shop on the day of the robbery and "that amount of watches should've never been on display".

It said despite having strict security procedures, "such procedures were not followed through no fault of anyone's. Panic buttons, alarms, smoke screens and security doors are in place".

The business claimed the suspects had targeted the shop by posing as potential customers across a three-day period, and were "waiting for a vulnerability and the correct time to strike".

The jewellers will remain temporarily closed to "grieve the loss of our friend".