An Apple Store robbery at London’s flagship Covent Garden store yesterday saw ‘at least’ 10 masked raiders steal thousands of pounds worth of products in a daylight raid. One report claimed that the robbers were armed.
Video footage captured from inside the store shows criminals fleeing, and one section of the clip shows a security guard grappling with a man outside the store.
The Sun reported that the robbers were “armed,” but police have so far only said that the gang was “reported to have been carrying weapons.” The paper has a brief video clip on its website.
Screaming customers fled a top Apple Store as a gang of armed raiders burst through the doors and swiped tech gear worth thousands of pounds. The robbers looted a store in Covent Garden, London in broad daylight.
Cops dashed to the scene, but no arrests have yet been made.
Witnesses say the thugs cleared out the shop – before forcing customers to hand over their belongings too. It’s understood tablets, iPhones, bags and laptops were taken from the outlet in The Piazza.
It should be noted that The Sun is a tabloid, prone to exaggerated reporting. Robberies involving the use of firearms do occur in the UK, but strict gun controls mean they are relatively rare. Most Apple Store robberies rely on shock and speed to grab as many items as possible before immediately fleeing.
The Telegraph cited police saying that witnesses had reported weapons, without any details.
A spokesperson said: “At around 1.10pm on Sunday, July 17, police received several calls reporting that a group of males had forced their way into a shop in The Piazza, Covent Garden.
“Some of the group were reported to have been carrying weapons.
“It is alleged that they stole a number of items before running from the area in different directions.
“While this was an understandably scary experience for staff and customers, there were no reports of any physical injuries.”
They’re calling for anyone with information to come forward.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has photos or video footage of it, is asked to call 101 with the reference 3815/17JUL,” the spokesperson said.
“Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The Sun and other papers quoted a customer who witnessed the incident.
29 year-old graphic designer Charlie Twigg was one of those caught up in the melee, explaining that the raid happened just five seconds after he walked in for an appointment.
“I turned around and there were at least ten men in balaclavas,” he told The Sun. “They pushed through the entrance past the security and they started grabbing anything they could.”
Twigg said they started taking possession from customers after clearing Apple products from tables.
“They were taking things out of people’s hands,” he added. “I don’t know if they had any weapons – it was all very quick. I would say within a minute it had all started and finished.”
According to the graphic designer, security staff attempted to stop the robbers from leaving, while a member of the public also tried to chase after them.
Twiggs said: “It was quite scary. There were a few screams It’s a Sunday and a sunny day in Covent Garden, so obviously it was busy.”
Apple said that it is assisting the police with their investigation.
The safety and security of customers and our team members is always our top priority. We are supporting the authorities with their investigation of the robbery in Covent Garden and are grateful for their quick response. We also thank our team members for everything they do to support our customers and each other.
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