Police search for have-a-go hero who thwarted raid on Victoria jewellers

Footage shows the passer-by leaping off his bike to stop a suspect escaping
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Police are searching for a have-a-go-hero who wrestled a suspected robber to the ground after a dramatic jewellery shop raid.

Footage captured by a passer-by showed the mystery man leap off his Boris bike and grapple with a teenage thief as he tried to make a getaway on an orange moped.

He pulled him to the ground and held him in a headlock as members of the Met’s Flying Squad arrived moments later to place him under arrest.

The suspect had been left behind by four accomplices who fled on two mopeds following the axe attack on Suttons & Robertsons in Victoria at 10.30am on Thursday.

Witnesses said the gang smashed through the shop’s plate-glass window using axes, hammers and baseball bats but fled when they heard approaching police sirens.

The rest of the group are believed to have fled empty-handed and police said no members of the public were injured.

Officers are now hoping to track down the man who intervened wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket.

Hirisa de Troia, 31, a shop assistant in neighbouring Wasabi, told the Standard: “It was really crazy. I saw guys on two motorbikes come from Victoria Station.

The scene in Victoria after the raid at the jewellery shop

“They were wearing all black and I could only see their eyes.

“After one second I saw two of these guys get off the bike and pulled out axes from under their jackets.

“They smashed the glass door open with axes and broke everything. When I saw that I was very scared. I closed the doors and ran down stairs and called my assistant manager.”

The four outstanding suspects are described as males and were wearing dark clothing. One of them had a light coloured helmet; the others had dark coloured helmets.

An orange scooter at the scene of the raid in Victoria

Detective Sergeant Alan Stimson, from the Flying Squad, said: "I would like to thank the members of the public who so bravely intervened. We have spoken to a number of witnesses and whilst our enquiries continue, it is of paramount importance that we trace all those who saw something that day. Anyone with any information should contact us at the earliest opportunity."

Detectives from the Flying Squad are investigating and are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with any information about the suspects to contact them.

Anyone that can assist the Flying Squad can call 020 8785 8655, or police via 101 or via Twitter @MetCC

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

:: A boy aged 16 has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

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