More than three years for attempted robbery at jewellers in Reigate

A man who threatened to rob staff at a jewellery shop in Reigate has been jailed.

Fabio Pereira de Jesus, 46, DOB (18/03/1978), of no fixed address, was arrested following an attempted robbery on the High Street last year.  

On 6 May, 2023, Pereira de Jesus visited a jewellers just as staff were beginning to close up. He said his English wasn’t strong and attempted to communicate through a translation app on his phone. 

Initially believing he wanted something repaired, staff asked Pereira de Jesus to show them the item. He then pulled out a black imitation handgun, shouting “Go back, I’ll shoot you.”  One of the staff shouted back at him and he fled the shop empty-handed. 

Officers investigating the offence conducted enquiries with other retailers on the street, checked CCTV, and circulated imagery of him on social media. They also recovered a coat and a kitchen knife that had been discarded over a wall near the castle grounds along what was believed to be his escape route. 

Despite these efforts, he continued to evade capture until one of the victims spotted him almost five months later in Morrison’s car park. Officers responded and he was swiftly arrested and later charged with attempted robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

At Guildford Crown Court on Thursday 19 September, he was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. 

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Carl Knowles, said: “This was a frightening incident for staff at the shop who not only were incredibly brave on the day but also reported potential sightings of him many months later leading to his arrest for this crime. I want to thank them and all the other local retailers and members of the public who responded to our appeal for their help in piecing together the evidence against him. Violence or threats of violence are serious crimes and I am extremely pleased this offender is now safely behind bars.”