This is the moment a man in drag attempts an “audacious and amateurish" armed robbery on a Leatherhead a jewellers while his skirt is falling down and his wig slipping off.
Ryan Valentine and Raymond Price
CCTV footage shows Ryan Valentine, 39, “disguised” in a black skirt, tights, sunglasses and long brown wig whip a fake pistol out of his handbag in an attempt to rob Cradler's House Jewellers on February 19.
Accomplice Raymond Price, 45, enters the High Street shop moments later dressed in motorbike leathers and helmet.
Cradler's House Jewellers in Leatherhead
Valentine’s skirt can be seen falling down and his wig slipping off as the pair attempt to rob the jewellers.
A huge fight ensues and shop workers David Dyer, 59, and Frazer Wilson, 24, manage to force the would-be robbers out and detain Price.
Price was arrested in the store after the struggle while Valentine escaped.
- FROM YESTERDAY: Man in drag, another in a biker helmet and girlfriend jailed after 'amateur' failed armed robbery
- FROM FEBRUARY: Leatherhead passers-by just stopped to take photos of alleged attempted robbery, says High Street shop worker
He then stayed with his Price’s girlfriend Paula Jones, 29, in a hotel before attempting to fly to the West Indian island of St Lucia.
Valentine was arrested on the plane at Gatwick Airport.
Valentine and Price pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit a robbery and Jones admitted assisting an offender.
Valentine, of Carlton Road, Walton was jailed for six years while his accomplice Price, of Thames Mead, Walton received a three year and nine month sentence at Guildford Crown Court yesterday.
Jones, of Thames Mead, was jailed for 15 months.
Detective sergeant Joe Easterbrook said: "This was a highly unusual incident where two men in very distinctive clothing attempted to rob a local business in broad daylight.
"The two members of staff working that day refused to be intimidated by the suspects and showed tremendous bravery to challenge the two men and stop Price from leaving the store until our officers arrived.
“Although the members of staff were both very shaken by what took place fortunately they both only suffered minor injuries during the incident.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the members of the public walking past the shop at the time of the robbery who stopped to assist with the efforts to prevent Price from escaping.”
- Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6318 or email rachael.burford@london.newsquest.co.uk
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