Burglar jailed for £1.4 million watch shop break-in

A man has been jailed today following a heist that saw 159 luxury watches worth £1.4 million stolen from a shopping centre watch shop. 

David Buisson, 56, has been sentenced to six years and one month imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court after admitting his role in the carefully planned burglary.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted Buisson, of Harlow, Essex, following an investigation by Kent Police. 

Holly Morton, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "David Buisson went through enormous effort to carry out a premeditated burglary that caused significant financial loss to a local business.

“His sentencing sends a clear message that no matter how sophisticated your methods or elaborate your planning, criminals will be robustly pursued by law enforcement, prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service, and brought to justice. We remain absolutely committed to working with police to disrupt those who commit such significant burglaries.”

Between 13 January and 2 February 2025, a Mercedes travelled the same route to Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford on 16 occasions. On each occasion, the vehicle was using cloned number plates. During one visit, Buisson was captured on CCTV entering the shopping centre. A hole was made in the roof of the Watchfinder store from which Buisson used a camcorder to film staff movements and record a member of staff entering their PIN to access the safe.

After 6.44pm on 7 February 2025, using a telescopic ladder to access the roof, Buisson broke into the building by cutting a hole in the roof of the shopping centre. He then gained access to the roof of the internal shop unit, where he cut another hole and retrieved a safe containing keys to other safes within the premises.

Buisson returned through the roof hole and manoeuvred himself to where the main safe was located. Using the stolen keys, he opened the main safe, removed the luxury watches and placed them in a bag before walking out through the service door to a waiting Mercedes, which immediately drove off.

Despite using a different vehicle with cloned number plates, police were able to track the getaway car and his movements through CCTV footage to a Vauxhall Corsa belonging to Buisson. 

Days later when officers arrested Buisson they discovered the camcorder as well as a bag containing some stolen watches. 

Using the evidence, the CPS was able to build a strong case that led to the defendant pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to burgle.  

Another man, Stephen Smitherman, was charged with conspiracy to burgle and driving whilst disqualified in connection with the incident but is now deceased.