Two brothers who boldly swiped a PlayStation5 from inside their victim’s home have been sent to jail after home security footage captured their daring act. Joshua Okello and his younger brother Tyrese scoured Gumtree for valuable items before targeting Luke Anderson’s home in Hounslow, west London just before Christmas 2021. Luke had purchased the coveted PS5 console for £450 on Amazon, intending it as a potential Christmas gift for his family.
Fortunately, Luke had CCTV cameras both inside and outside his home, which recorded the entire incident when the brothers showed up. Despite the video evidence, Luke initially faced resistance from his insurers, but after media coverage of the incident in the Mirror, he was eventually compensated for his loss. Now, almost three years later, the two culprits have been sentenced. Joshua Okello, 23, received a three-year and nine-month sentence for conspiracy to rob, while his younger brother Tyrese Okello, 20, was given two years and six months in a young offenders’ institute for the same charge.
Reflecting on the conviction of the brothers, Luke, now 40 and a father, shared, “I provided the police with video evidence of the break-in at my home, participated in an identity parade, and finally received confirmation of their conviction.” The robbery had a significant impact on Luke’s life, prompting him to move houses due to safety concerns for his family.
Luke emphasized the importance of security measures like CCTV cameras and advised caution when selling items online. He stressed the need to verify buyers’ credibility and highlighted the role of surveillance cameras in providing peace of mind. The incident also shed light on the prevalence of robberies linked to platforms like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace.
Both Gumtree and Meta (owner of Facebook) issued statements urging users to prioritize safety when conducting transactions. The Metropolitan Police commended the swift identification and arrest of the Okello brothers, emphasizing the importance of reporting crimes promptly to ensure justice is served.