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| Hammer-wielding gang on mopeds raids London Apple store | Hammer-wielding gang on mopeds raids London Apple store |
| (2 months later) | |
| Security guard threatened as 10 thieves smash into flagship Regent Street store and make off with iPads, iPhones and watches | |
| Press Association | |
| Mon 13 Nov 2017 14.55 GMT | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 13.52 GMT | |
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| A security guard was threatened with a hammer as 10 thieves smashed into Apple’s Regent Street store before making off on mopeds with iPhones, iPads and watches. | A security guard was threatened with a hammer as 10 thieves smashed into Apple’s Regent Street store before making off on mopeds with iPhones, iPads and watches. |
| At least three scooters waited on the pavement as people wearing helmets shuttled in and out during the early morning raid in London, video posted online shows. | At least three scooters waited on the pavement as people wearing helmets shuttled in and out during the early morning raid in London, video posted online shows. |
| Miah Mohammad Sheful, 28, who shot the 44-second clip as he waited for a bus, said it took the suspects several attempts to break in the door of Apple’s flagship UK store. | Miah Mohammad Sheful, 28, who shot the 44-second clip as he waited for a bus, said it took the suspects several attempts to break in the door of Apple’s flagship UK store. |
| Passing cars started beeping their horns to try to prevent the burglary as they realised what was unfolding, the digital marketer said, but within seconds the mopeds had fled. | Passing cars started beeping their horns to try to prevent the burglary as they realised what was unfolding, the digital marketer said, but within seconds the mopeds had fled. |
| The Metropolitan police said they were called at 12.45am on Monday to reports of an aggravated burglary. | The Metropolitan police said they were called at 12.45am on Monday to reports of an aggravated burglary. |
| About three minutes earlier 10 suspects on five mopeds reportedly smashed their way into the store and took Apple products, with one threatening a security guard who tried to stop them with a hammer. | About three minutes earlier 10 suspects on five mopeds reportedly smashed their way into the store and took Apple products, with one threatening a security guard who tried to stop them with a hammer. |
| The suspects, described as wearing dark clothing, are said to have made off northbound along Regent Street. | The suspects, described as wearing dark clothing, are said to have made off northbound along Regent Street. |
| The suspect who threatened the guard was described as black. | The suspect who threatened the guard was described as black. |
| The raid comes one month after a gang of thieves riding mopeds attacked a high-end jeweller’s in the same street. Three suspects are believed to have smashed display cabinets to escape with a high-value haul after a hammer, an axe and bats were used to break in to the store. | The raid comes one month after a gang of thieves riding mopeds attacked a high-end jeweller’s in the same street. Three suspects are believed to have smashed display cabinets to escape with a high-value haul after a hammer, an axe and bats were used to break in to the store. |
| Officers believe six robbers were involved in the raid at Mappin & Webb at about 7.20pm on 9 October. | Officers believe six robbers were involved in the raid at Mappin & Webb at about 7.20pm on 9 October. |
| There has been a surge in thefts of mopeds or scooters as well as in crimes carried out by individuals riding them. | There has been a surge in thefts of mopeds or scooters as well as in crimes carried out by individuals riding them. |
| Figures suggest that in the year to September, there were more than 19,385 “moped enabled” crimes in the capital – an average of 53 a day – including thefts and robberies. | Figures suggest that in the year to September, there were more than 19,385 “moped enabled” crimes in the capital – an average of 53 a day – including thefts and robberies. |
| Police say there are a number of factors behind the trend, including a rise in the number of people using scooters to commute and a growing market for second-hand mobile phone parts. | Police say there are a number of factors behind the trend, including a rise in the number of people using scooters to commute and a growing market for second-hand mobile phone parts. |
| Scooter criminals normally travel in pairs with a passenger sitting behind the driver, targeting busy areas where they can snatch high-value smartphones. | Scooter criminals normally travel in pairs with a passenger sitting behind the driver, targeting busy areas where they can snatch high-value smartphones. |
| At the end of last month, Scotland Yard revealed that it was using a special spray to “tag” moped-riding suspects after a surge in offences perpetrated using the vehicles. | At the end of last month, Scotland Yard revealed that it was using a special spray to “tag” moped-riding suspects after a surge in offences perpetrated using the vehicles. |
| The spray marks the suspect with an invisible liquid that is extremely difficult to remove and contains a DNA-style unique code. | The spray marks the suspect with an invisible liquid that is extremely difficult to remove and contains a DNA-style unique code. |
| Frontline teams have also been kitted out with automatic “stinger” devices that can remotely puncture tyres to stop suspects getting away. | Frontline teams have also been kitted out with automatic “stinger” devices that can remotely puncture tyres to stop suspects getting away. |
| In a third tactic, a fleet of new lightweight motorbikes has been rolled out to make police more nimble in their pursuit of suspects, who often use alleyways and narrow streets to escape. | In a third tactic, a fleet of new lightweight motorbikes has been rolled out to make police more nimble in their pursuit of suspects, who often use alleyways and narrow streets to escape. |
| Crime | |
| London | |
| Apple | |
| news | |
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