Kids welcome fish back to clean pond
THREE thieves have been jailed after stealing airline passengers’ possessions worth £100,000.
Officers from the Met’s Aviation Policing Command Crime Squad have ended a series of distraction thefts committed at London City Airport, Heathrow Airport and London Stansted Airport by three South American nationals: José Martin Encarnacion Flores, Reynaldo Willy Weston and Juan Gabriel Romero Hernandez. The trio have been jailed for over 12 years.
A fourth accomplice – 61-year-old José de Jesus Boada Penaranda – has also been convicted of similar offences. He is due to be sentenced on Wednesday, December 4 at Isleworth Crown Court.
Following the first offences on
September 6 at London City Airport and Heathrow Airport, officers launched an investigation. Further similar offences occurred at London Heathrow Airport on September 9 and 12 and at London Stansted Airport on September 10.
Aviation Policing Crime Squad officers trawled through CCTV and succeeded in linking the suspects to their offences; all four suspects committed offences at London City Airport on September 6; Flores, Weston and Hernandez committed thefts at Heathrow Airport on September 6, 9 and 12; and, Weston carried out a theft on his own at London Stansted Airport on September 10.
The gang was taken into custody at Heathrow police station. They were charged with theft and remanded to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 19 September. The stolen property, which included jewellery, identification documents, and cash, is estimated to be worth about £100,000 in total.
On November 5, following further enquiries, officers traced Penaranda to East London and arrested him at Bethnal Green Underground station.
Investigating officer, PC Barry Munnelly, of the Met Aviation Policing Command, said: “The Met is absolutely committed to detecting, disrupting and arresting those involved in any criminal activity at London’s airports.
“These criminals arrived in the UK in August with the express purpose of carrying out callous acts of theft against elderly and vulnerable people. However, following their first offence, officers were quick to identify and arrest them.
They will now spend a considerable time behind bars before being deported. Stolen items have also been recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
“Police officers regularly patrol airports to make them hostile territory for criminals to snatch valuables from members of the public. Our team of detectives conduct investigations and covert operations to tackle these and other crimes.
“As a result, airports are generally very safe places to be, but nevertheless, I want to get the message out to members of the public about the importance of remaining vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times and of keeping your property secure. These crimes happen in an instant.
“If you see any suspicious activity or has any information about anyone who commits such crimes
FELTHAM Pond has reopened after six weeks of dredging, cleaning, and refilling with fresh water.
The reopening saw the re-homing of 50 fish, delivered to the pond with the help of a dozen primary school children from nearby Edward Pauling School.
Approximately 50,000 gallons of fresh water was let into the pond from the Longford River via the existing inlet to refill it.
The reintroduction of fish marks the end of 18 months of work around the pond, which included repair of the outlet to prevent flooding in future.
One of the children involved with releasing the fish was nineyear-old Thomas Ratoi, who said the clean water looked like a perfect spot for the carp.
“It felt really good, the fish in your hand, wiggling about, and then throwing them into their new homes - gently throw them,” he said. “I was surprised just how slimy and wet they were.”
Thomas and his classmates were also taught a little about the history of the pond, about how it was constructed around a large tree that blew over in a storm, and how it was very nearly filled in with dirt in the past. “People saved it,” he said. Kathryn Evans, who runs the school council, said the children loved their day, with much boasting in the school corridors after please call police in an emergency on 999 or 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The three suspects sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday November 13, are as follows:
Jose Martin Encarnacion Flores, 53, of no fixed address was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment for four counts of theft offences.
Reynaldo Willy Weston, 66, of no fixed address was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment for five counts of theft offences. Juan Gabriel Romero Hernandez, 55, of no fixed address was sentenced to four years and 10 months’ imprisonment for four counts of theft offences. All three had appeared at Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court on September 19 where they pleaded guilty to all of their offences. the release.
Local fish expert Chris Currie helped the children put the fish back into a pond which has been effectively closed for the last two months.
Stefania Horne, head of parks and leisure at Hounslow Council said: “This is a culmination of 18-months work not just with the pond, but with the outlet repair to prevent flooding, the removal of scrub around the margins, planting new shrubs, improving the grass surrounds, tree pruning - just about everything you can see here today which looks absolutely fantastic.
“Removing unsightly hedges, and generally improving the view will help to deter antisocial behaviour and improve access opportunities to this wonderful asset.”
Ms Horne said the council will continue to improve the area with water lilies and some additional aquatic species that will complement the local ecology
She said: “We would like to pay credit to Angela Parton from Friends of Feltham Green who initiated the project and for her continuous support and positive energy which contributed to the improvements.
“We would also like to thank the children from Edward Pauling Primary School who helped us to put the fish back.
“A big thank you to all who contributed to the restoration of this jewel in the crown in the heart of Feltham .”
After the pond was dredged and cleaned, a small layer of silt remains on the bottom of the pond, allowing the new fish to feed themselves as normal and for aquatic plants to establish.
The 50 fish, mainly carp, were brought from a special fish farm in Hampshire.