An 18-year-old from Basingstoke has been sentenced to five years in prison after carrying out an armed robbery spree in Camberley and Wokingham.
Theo Charles Healis, from Hatch Warren, went on a rampage on the evening of 28 March 2017. At around 8pm, he confronted a man who was closing his car boot in the Atrium multi-storey car park in Camberley. Healis shouted threats and then pulled out a dark sock containing a fake gun from down his waistband, causing the victim to panic.
Despite the threat, the victim followed Healis and his group – which included two males and a female – out of the car park. Seconds later, Healis threatened to kill him again. The victim ran to the security office and called the police. Armed officers arrived quickly and arrested Healis, seizing the imitation firearm.
Just days earlier, on 23 March 2017, Healis had committed another robbery in Wokingham. A man walking near the council offices at Shute End noticed two men behind him, one with a covered face. Fearing a real gun, the victim handed over his bag, which the suspect then fled with.
Thames Valley Police worked with the victim to identify Healis as the offender and charged him with robbery.
Healis was sentenced to five years in prison with the following breakdown:
- Robbery: 2.5 years
- Two counts of threatening to kill: 20 months (served concurrently)
- Possession of a firearm (imitation): 2.5 years (served consecutively)
Detective Sergeant James Ansell said, “We hope that the public are reassured that Healis will be in jail after threatening the victim with what was thought to be a gun at the time. This case shows the power of collaboration between Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Justice has been served for two traumatised victims, thankfully left physically unharmed.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
