Cardiff jewellery thief jailed

Cardiff jewellery thief jailed for five years after stealing up to £50000 worth of jewellery.

Remiah Fyffe-Gayle, 29, from London, travelled to Cardiff on 22 April and entered the Pravins store in St David's Centre. Staff became suspicious after he asked to look at a number of diamond rings, which he claimed were for an upcoming engagement.

He was shown three rings, which he grabbed suddenly and made for the exit. A security guard had placed herself at the door and tried to grab Fyffe-Gayle but he struggled with her and managed to escape. The total amount of the rings taken came to £53,000 but a £9,000 ring was dropped by the thief. One of the workers chased him through the City Centre and onto St Marys Street before losing him. By following the suspect, it allowed officers to obtain CCTV quicker in order to track the man and find out the route they have taken.

Having carried out the theft Fyffe-Gayle met up with two accomplices on Westgate Street and was seen on CCTV changing his clothes before travelling back to London by taxi.

Detective Constable Seren West said: “This has been a very high-paced investigation that involved several forces working in unison. From this investigation, a further two jewellery thefts were discovered that Fyffe-Gayle committed East London prior to his visit to Cardiff. The total value of the rings he stole from the three stores came to around £85,000.

Offences of this kind showed that he had planned this theft in advance. Several workers within all the jewellery stores provided statements which showed that there was a pattern to his offending and the bravery of the staff has led to the custodial sentence for the three thefts.”

Fyffe-Gayle later pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and common assault and was sentenced to a total of five years imprisonment.