Rochdale man jailed for 28 months after stealing Cartier and Rolex watches worth £21,000

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Johari Nazir Carter stole Cartier and Rolex watches

A 29-year-old man from Rochdale who stole £21,000 worth of high-value watches has been jailed for 28 months for two counts of theft by shoplifting.

Johari Nazir Carter, 29, also known as Graham Bagasan of Rochdale committed a high value theft of a Cartier watch on 15 June 2021 at pawnbrokers on Yorkshire Street, Rochdale.

Carter would enter jewellers and pawnbrokers requesting to view a high value watch, he would then snatch the watch and make off running out of the shops.

He was charged with this offence and on the 20 July 2022, he appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court where he was handed a 10-month prison sentence.

Carter also appeared at Wood Green Crown Court, London on 1 August 2022 for the same offence and M.O. for a Rolex watch at a pawnbrokers on Kingsland High Street, London, where he received a further 18 months sentence for this offence.

SaferGems, the UK initiative against crime in the jewellery, pawnbroker, arts and antiques industry, were aware of Carter following previous high value watch thefts across the North of England in 2018/2019 which he was convicted for. SaferGems were instrumental in identifying Carter and linking in with police forces supporting the prosecution of Johari Nazir Carter for the attacks suffered at jewellery stores within Greater Manchester and London areas.

Sarah Staff, Director of the British Security Industry Association, and head of SaferGems, said: "SaferGems works closely with retail jewellers who are members of the National Association of Jewellers or clients of TH March Insurance Brokers. We aim to support UK policing in collaboration with the retail jewellery industry to identify and apprehend offenders in addition to crime prevention.

"The excellent work undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and the Metropolitan Police resulted in Carter receiving a significant sentence for these offences. On behalf of the industry, we would like to thank all those involved for their hard work in bringing these cases to a successful outcome.”