Police release CCTV of suspects in murder of man by moped thieves

One of two suspects detectives would like to speak to in connection with incident in Greenwich where Danny Pearce was killed. Photograph: Metropolitan police/PA

Detectives investigating the murder of a man who was shot at and stabbed by thieves on a moped are appealing for witnesses.

Danny Pearce was approached by two men after leaving a bar in Greenwich, south-east London, with his girlfriend and some friends, and the assailants demanded he hand over his Rolex watch.

Police have released CCTV footage that shows the two suspects in motorcycle helmets driving up to a petrol station before the attack just after midnight on 15 July.

CCTV still of the two suspects riding a moped. Photograph: Metropolitan police

At first Pearce, a 31-year-old builder, refused to hand over his watch. One of the moped riders then stabbed him several times in the neck with a large kitchen knife. The other attacker took out a gun and started shooting at Pearce, who ran away.

The attackers only stopped when the victim’s girlfriend shouted that she would give them the watch. Pearce tried to get help at a nearby address but died a short time later.

DI Jo Sidaway, who is leading the investigation, said: “The level of violence used against Danny was horrendous. Moments after he refused to surrender his personal property, the first suspect produced a large knife and began chasing and stabbing him while the second suspect produced a handgun and shot in the direction of Danny as he ran for his life.

“The sight of this large weapon and sounds of gunshots terrified not only Danny’s friends but also local residents and it is only by sheer luck that those with Danny did not suffer serious injury or worse as a result of the repeated shots fired.”

The two suspects have been linked to two other robberies in London, police said. On both occasions individuals were targeted for their watches and threatened with weapons.

Mopeds are increasingly being used in robberies in the capital as they allow thieves to quickly mount pavements to snatch items from people.

Four in 10 robberies in England and Wales are now committed in London, figures show, and police in the capital are considering tougher measures.

On Sunday a 26-year-old man was shot in the back by two men on mopeds in Harrow, north-west London.