A man, identified as Karl Kaynar, instilled fear in the staff of a pizza restaurant in Swanley, Kent, by brandishing an air gun and threatening to harm them. During the incident, which occurred on March 13, 2024, Kaynar forcibly took around £400 from the cash register after demanding money from the employees.
Following this robbery, Kaynar proceeded to an Asda petrol station in London Road the next day, where he menaced workers with a knife and a broken paving slab. He further intimidated them by threatening to throw acid at a victim before fleeing the scene with a substantial sum of stolen money.
Kaynar was apprehended later that same day, and law enforcement officers were able to recover the air gun used in the crimes. Subsequent searches at a location linked to Kaynar yielded a bag from the Asda robbery and a knife, leading to his arrest and subsequent confession to the crimes.
In court, Kaynar, aged 42 and with no fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, possession of a knife in public, theft, and drug offenses. He was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison, with an additional 86 days for violating a suspended sentence. Upon release, he will be under supervision for four years.
Detective Constable Rosie Acton emphasized the seriousness of Kaynar’s actions, highlighting the genuine fear he instilled in his victims. She expressed relief that Kaynar was swiftly apprehended, preventing further potential harm to the community.