Terror for agents as fake viewer pulls sawn-off shotgun during viewings

A man has been jailed after using a sawn-off double barrelled shotgun during two terrifying robberies involving agents on viewings. He had posed as someone interested in viewing the properties.

Police say they know for a fact that he had been planning further robberies.

Agents are urged to make safety a priority as once again the case draws attention to the security of agents as they go about their daily business.

The disturbing incidents evoke that of Suzy Lamplugh, whose body has never been found, after vanishing during a viewing.

In both the latest incidents, the agents were in their early twenties, as Suzy was.

Police have not identified the agents or their firms, and EYE has chosen not to do so either.

The horrific incidents were both in London, in Tower Hamlets and Haringey.

Mark O’Reilly, 24, of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court for three firearm offences and three robbery offences.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to the offences at the same court.

On Wednesday, June 15, the victim was a 24-year-old agent who met with O’Reilly who was posing as a prospective tenant, at a property in Bromley-by-Bow.

Once inside the property O’Reilly produced the shotgun and subjected the agent and the 20-year-old male occupant of the flat to a terrifying ordeal.

He bound their hands and feet and searched the flat. He then held a gun to their heads to extort passcodes for their bank cards, computers and mobile phones.

He stole cash, bank cards and an iPad.

Six days later, O’Reilly carried out a further offence, again involving an agent.

At 2pm, he met with the agent to view a property in Gladstone Avenue, London N22.

Later that day O’Reilly asked to view the property again but this time with his girlfriend.

At 6.30pm, the 22-year-old male estate agent attended the property and O’Reilly was waiting outside. He stated that his girlfriend was running late and asked if he could have another look around.

They both went into the flat. The victim was then threatened with a shotgun and ordered to hand over his mobile phone, cash, driving licence, car key and flat keys.

O’Reilly left the location. The agent ran into the garden and police were called.

Due to the similarities of the incidents and subsequent forensic analysis, O’Reilly was linked to both crimes.

Three days later, on Friday, June 24, O’Reilly was arrested following an extensive manhunt across London conducted by officers from Tower Hamlets and Haringey CID, working with the Met’s Flying Squad.

When O’Reilly, below, was arrested he was found in possession of the shotgun which later proved to be an imitation.

Detective Constable Alan Henderson, from Tower Hamlets CID, said: “O’Reilly was calculated in the planning and execution of these crimes. He has shown a cold indifference to the suffering of his victims.

“We hope that the sentence he has received helps the victims in their recovery from the lasting mental trauma he inflicted.

“We know for a fact that he was planning further similar robberies when he was arrested and are pleased to have prevented him from carrying them out.”

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5 Comments

  1. Eamonn

    Condolences to Suzy Lampulgh family and friends

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    1. seenitall

      About 30 years late for the condolences.

       

      Shocking crime being reported now.   Not much you can do in those circumstances apart from trying to check the applicant before showing and ask as many questions as possible when you vet them BEFORE showing even then it could still happen.

      Hope the people subject to this can recover.

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  2. Winny

    What do other agents do to vet enquirers or protect staff on vacant viewings?

    Apart from taking the usual contact details (which could of course be false) we issue female staff with a rape alarm and call staff mobiles 15 minutes into the viewing to check they are ok.

    In the tragic event that something goes wrong it would still be very easy for us to be blamed for a myriad of further measures we could/should have taken.

    Given the vulnerability of male and female staff to robbery and worse when alone in a house with a stranger I am surprised, but glad, that far more of these awful situations are not being reported.

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  3. samzawadzki48

    What a horrible ordeal. Do you think it would be more safe to verify email & phone prior to a viewing? Would it be better to have a link to their social media profiles linkedin facebook etc? Or should it be a case of having them come and meet at the office before the viewing?

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  4. Beano

    In view of how rare these events are (how many over 20 years?) I would leave the issue of personal safety in the hands of the individual staff member but support them in whatever safeguards they feel are appropriate for them.

    Lets not go all left wing council in our businesses and install lifts and body cameras, safety leaflets and hi vis jackets please!

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