Five family members involved in an elaborate staged armed robbery at a Post Office branch in Hounslow have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 17 years in prison following their conviction on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad uncovered the conspiracy after the lead perpetrator, Rajvinder Kahlon, cut himself on a metal fence whilst fleeing the scene, leaving crucial DNA evidence that unravelled the entire plot.
Sukhvir Dhillon, 38, who owned the Post Office branch and the store it was attached to on Brabazon Road, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment as the ringleader of the scheme. His cousin Rajvinder Kahlon, 43, who carried out the fake robbery, received four-and-a-half years.
Sunaver Dhillon was sentenced to three years and one months’ imprisonmentPhoto: Metropolitan Police
Sunaver Dhillon, 68, the sub-postmistress and mother of Sukhvir Dhillon, was sentenced to three years and one month, whilst Ramandeep Dhillon, 40, Sukhvir's wife, received two years and five months.
Another family member, Mandeep Gill, 45, was sentenced to two years and four months after being found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to money launder.
The fraud came to light on 1 April 2024 when police responded to reports of an armed robbery at approximately 6:30 pm. Two women working at the branch, later revealed to be family members involved in the conspiracy, told officers they had been threatened by a gunman who stole £50,000 along with the branch's CCTV system.
Ramandeep Dhillon was sentenced to two years and five months in prison Photo: Metropolitan Police
However, a subsequent Post Office audit revealed the actual amount missing was around £136,000, significantly more than initially reported.
“This was a complex investigation which involved piecing together a large amount of CCTV, phone and financial data, and DNA evidence,” Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, from the Met's Flying Squad, said. “The group had taken steps to cover their tracks but we were still able to identify those involved and I'm pleased our work resulted in them being brought to justice."
The investigation took a breakthrough when detectives discovered Kahlon had injured himself whilst climbing over a fence during his escape. His DNA was recovered from the scene, whilst CCTV footage tracked him to a nearby vehicle registered in his name.
Rajvinder Kahlon was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment Photo: Metropolitan Police
Analysis of phone records revealed regular contact between Kahlon and Sukhvir Dhillon in the lead-up to the incident, exposing the staged nature of the robbery. The investigation showed that Dhillon, as the branch owner, had orchestrated the elaborate scheme with the help of family members working at the premises.
All five defendants were found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court on 27 March of multiple charges including conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to money launder, and conspiracy to steal from the Post Office.
