Police have charged a man with robbery after he was filmed being tackled by members of the public during a ram-raid on a jewellery store in west London.
Scotland Yard said officers were called shortly before 5.30pm on Friday after a car was reportedly driven into the front of the store on Uxbridge Road in Shepherd’s Bush.
The vehicle’s occupants, a group of males, got out and used a large metal pole to smash into display cabinets and snatch jewellery, police said.
A dramatic video shared on social media appeared to show three individuals wearing motorcycle helmets run out of eSmart Money and Sultan Jewellery, a combined foreign exchange and jewellery business.
With members of the public filming and watching on, two of the individuals, wielding what appeared to be weapons, can be seen sprinting off along the pavement.
In the video footage a third alleged thief carrying a bag tumbles to the ground in the middle of the road and is quickly surrounded by a group of people.
For several seconds the suspect is pinned down while he is repeatedly kicked and punched before police officers arrive to handcuff him.
Further footage of the incident’s aftermath showed a black Range Rover had mounted the pavement and was left half inside the eSmart Money store, surrounded by broken glass.
The Metropolitan Police said one man, aged 34, was arrested on suspicion of robbery after being detained by members of the public at the scene.
He was subsequently charged with robbery, dangerous driving, possession of an offensive an weapon, criminal damage and receiving stolen goods.
Inquiries were said to be ongoing to locate at least two other suspects who fled the scene.
The force said it was aware of the video posted online and is “assessing” it.
Detectives later urged those who had captured footage of the incident to contact them immediately.
