London man jailed for robbery and knife possession in Crewe
Steven Zehi sentenced to eight years and six months for his crimes
A 28-year-old man from London, has been sentenced to eight years and six months behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple robberies and possessing a knife in a public place.
Steven Zehi was convicted at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday 17th August following his admission of guilt to three counts of robbery and possession of a knife.
The offences included a robbery that took place on Friday 27th June 2025, when Zehi entered a mobile phone retailer in Crewe's Market Street area and made enquiries about purchasing a phone.
A shop employee showed him several devices, including an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which Zehi attempted to snatch from the counter.
When challenged by the employee, he brandished a knife and threatened to stab him, declaring he would return later to kill him.
Zehi fled with the iPhone, sparking a quick investigation by officers who were supported by the victim's account of the suspect.
CCTV footage captured near the scene and at Crewe Railway Station was pivotal, with retroactive facial recognition software identifying Zehi as the suspect.
This led to his circulation as wanted by police forces nationwide, including the British Transport Police.
He was arrested at Coventry Station by Armed Response Officers and British Transport Police approximately two-and-a-half hours after committing the robbery.
During interviews back in Cheshire, Zehi refused to cooperate, declining to leave his cell or answer questions. Further inquiries confirmed his involvement in two previous robberies in London.
Inspector Dan Welch of Crewe Local Policing Unit's Neighbourhood Team said:
"I am very glad to see the Steven Zehi has been held accountable for his actions and will be spending the foreseeable future behind bars.
"The victim in this incident was left considerably shaken by the ordeal and showed considerable bravery despite the situation. Nobody should ever expect to go to work and be faced with the threat of physical violence or serious injury whilst simply trying to do their job.
"What this case has shown is that the installation of CCTV cameras in local business and retail settings can be crucial in enabling investigating officers to identify suspects.
"It was the use of CCTV footage taken from the scene of the robbery and at Crewe Station, paired with the deployment of Retroactive Facial Recognition software that allowed officers to quickly identify Zehi as our suspect, circulate him as wanted, and then have him arrested by BTP colleagues less than three hours after the offence took place.
"I would like take this opportunity to thank our policing colleagues both within Cheshire and on the railway networks and beyond for their efforts that has allowed us to secure this conviction."