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Brave witnesses took justice into their own hands after tackling an apparent thief following a dramatic ram-raid at a jewellery shop.

Bystanders punched and kicked the suspected robber after he fell to the floor following a raid on a shop in west London.

The drama began when a Range Rover reportedly mounted the pavement and smashed into the shop during Friday’s evening rush hour.

Three thieves in motorcycle helmets allegedly got out of the back and began ransacking the shop in Shepherd’s Bush.


At least one of them was said to have been armed with a sledgehammer.

The raid happened during rush hour (Picture: newsflare)

The suspect is detained by the crowds (Picture: newsflare)

Caption: ram raid in sheperds bush tonight 25/10 Provider: newsflare

After the raid, the men ran out of the shop and members of the public approached in a bid to stop them.



When the thug carrying the bag fell, he was pinned down and pummelled by onlookers.

Two police officers eventually rush to the scene and appeared to restrain the suspect in handcuffs.

The incident took place at Smart Money and Sultan Jewellery, a joint foreign exchange and jewellery business in Shepherd’s Bush, west London.

Bystander Trausti Haflioason, 38, said: ‘It happened just after 5pm. I was walking and then I saw a Range Rover driving towards the shop.

He added: ‘I saw one guy with a sledgehammer, and I saw them go inside for a few seconds.

‘One of them was holding a bag. The crowd caught him and beat him up a bit and then just a few minutes later the police arrived.

‘Nobody went near the other man with the sledgehammer.’

The Range Rover Evoque was used to ram raid the window

The vehicle remained embedded in the jewellery store

One person has been arrested

One man was arrested on suspicion of robbery while officers are still searching for the other two, who ran away from the scene.

It is not yet known if they got away with any stolen goods.

A clip of the raid was posted on social media with one user tweeting: ‘This is craaazy!! Don’t mess with the neighbourhood for real!!’

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said last night: ‘Police were called at 5.21pm after a car was reportedly driven into the shop front of a jewellery store before the occupants got out and began trying to steal goods.

‘Officers attended. One male has been arrested on suspicion of robbery. Inquiries are ongoing to locate at least two other suspects who fled the scene.

‘A crime scene is in place. Inquiries continue.’