Police offer £20k to help catch killer of Harjinder Singh Bhurji

Harjinder Singh Bhurji was stabbed to death during the theft of his black Mercedes car

The 32-year-old, of Highbury Gardens, Ilford, was stabbed in the heart during the theft of his Mercedes CLK coupe on September 13, 2011.

The Met police are offering the reward for information which leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of his killer.

Detectives will return to the scene of his death in Stoneleigh Road from around 11pm tonight to hand out appeal leaflets.

Harjinder was pronounced dead after police were called to the scene at 1.10am and a woman friend of his was found uninjured but suffering from shock.

It is believed the two were sitting talking in his car when a masked man opened a passenger door and dragged the woman from the vehicle.

The suspect then went to the driver’s door and demanded the keys, which Harjinder handed over after being stabbed.

The car, registration R4 JXW, was later found abandoned in Chingford.

An incident room is open at the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

The suspect is described as black, about 6ft 2ins, of slim build and wearing a grey “beanie” hat, grey hoodie and dark-coloured bandana.

He spoke with a London accent.

Det Insp Andy Yeats said: “The motive for this brutal murder was the robbery of Mr Bhurji’s car.

“A year has now passed and we still need help in bringing his killer or killers to justice.

“We hope the offer of this large reward will encourage people to come forward and approach us with any information in confidence.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 1570 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 20-year-old and an 18-year-old were arrested on suspicion of murder in 2011 and are due to answer bail this month.