An alleged robber got more than he bargained for when he was pinned to the ground and punched and kicked by members of the public who took the law into their own hands.
The man was one of three suspected ram-raiders wearing crash helmets who were seen in a video running from the scene in Shepherd’s Bush, west London.
Moments earlier, a black 4×4 had been driven into the glass front of a store joined internally to a jewelery shop, before the occupants got out and started trying to steal items, reports said.
In the footage, some onlookers appeared to confront the suspects inside the shattered front of the e-Smart Money foreign exchange on Uxbridge Road.
Then, one of the alleged thieves rushed out of the next door Sultan Jewelers armed with what appeared to be a hammer, raising the weapon in the air, and carrying a bag.
Two more suspects followed him out, one with a sledgehammer and the second carrying another bag, as they raced down the road.
Members of the public then tackled and threw the third suspect to the ground, before bystanders started punching and kicking him.
The other two suspects are thought to have got away as they escaped towards the Westfield London shopping center on the busy high street.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: “Police were called at 5: 21 pm on Friday, 25 October to Uxbridge Road W 12 after a car was reportedly driven into the shop front of a jewelery store before the occupants got out and began trying to steal goods.
“Officers attended. One male [age unknown] has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.
” Enquiries are ongoing to locate at least two other suspects who fled the scene.
“A crime scene is in place. Enquires continue.”
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