Two men accused in an audacious jewel heist in London appeared in court Friday as police charged a third in the 40-million-pound ($66-million) robbery. The pair - 26-year-old Solomun Beyene of London and 26-year-old Craig Calderwood, of no fixed address - were ordered held until September 1.
Beyene and Calderwood, who are charged with conspiracy to rob and firearms offenses, were flanked by five security officers as they appeared in court. They spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth. Defence lawyer Antonie Xavier, who represents Beyene, said his client "totally denied" involvement.
"He has always denied that he was ever near there," Xavier said. "This is a shot in the dark." Later Friday, police announced they had charged a third man with conspiracy. Clinton Mogg, 42, of Bournemouth in southern England, is scheduled to appear in court Saturday.
The August 6 robbery at Graff Diamonds in the upscale Mayfair neighbourhood grabbed headlines in Britain and drew comparisons with movie plots. Two well-dressed men walked into the tony shop and pulled out handguns, ordering a member of staff at the upscale jeweller to put 43 items into a bag. Watches, rings, bracelets and necklaces were taken, with a retail value of more than 40 million pounds ($66 million.) The Metropolitan Police declined to say if any of the jewellery had been recovered. A third man arrested this week remains in jail.
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