Selfridges ‘RAIDERS’ dramatically tackled by passers-by after smashand-grab jewellery heist
Two suspected robbers - one of them wearing a burka - were dramatically seized by passers-by after a smashand-grab raid on Selfridges department store last night.
The men were pinned down by members of the public after their moped slipped over while turning a corner at speed in central London.
Witnesses said the suspects dropped a duffle bag containing several watches that spilled out onto the street.
The men, one wearing a burka and the other a motorbike helmet, were held down until armed police arrived soon afterwards and arrested them.
The suspects were seized about 400 yards from the world-famous Selfridges department store, a few minutes after cases were smashed on its ground floor at 8.30pm last night.
Nobody was hurt in the raid and the police quashed rumours that guns had been fired.
Matthew Carrozo, 28, saw the moped fall on the corner of Charlotte Street and Goodge Street.
He said: ‘It just came round the corner and slipped on a drain cover. The guy in the front was wearing a motorcycle helmet and the person on the back was wearing a burka.
‘They dropped a duffle bag and six or seven watches fell out -there seemed to be at least 30 more inside.
‘As soon as they hit the ground someone ran out of a restaurant and pinned them down- and then other people on the pavement joined him.
‘The driver wriggled free and started running down Charlotte Street but he was caught and pinned down again. It was quite a struggle.’
A spokesman said: ‘The gang, armed with axes, smashed cabinets before making off with items from the shop. It is not currently known how many people were involved.