Three charged for Croydon Costco store armed robbery (From Croydon Guardian)

Three charged for Croydon Costco store armed robbery

8:30am Thursday 15th October 2009 in News By Harry Miller

Three people have been charged with the robbery of Croydon cash and carry store Costco which left an employee fighting for his life.

Yamani Clarke, 22, unemployed, of Crowther Road, South Norwood, has been charged with conspiracy to rob, robbery and possession of a firearm with criminal intent.

Leigh Tipple, 27, of Dahomey Road, Norbury, has been charged with conspiracy to rob.

They are both due to appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court this morning.

Another man Yohan Clarke, 31, unemployed, of no fixed address, has been charged with conspiracy to rob, robbery and possession of a firearm with criminal intent.

He is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates Court next week.

Robbers entered the Costco cash and carry on September 17 and smashed their way into a display cabinet, setting off an alarm which alerted supervisor, Colin Thomas, 24.

Mr Thomas immediately gave chase to the fleeing robbers and as he followed them out of the store one of the thieves blasted Mr Thomas in the chest from point blank range with a shotgun.

Mr Thomas remains in a “serious but stable” condition after the robbery at the Imperial Way store.