Shooting near College
A man has been detained in custody following an armed robbery at a South Kensington jeweller on Tuesday. The police were summoned to the scene after reports that the man broke windows at the jewellers and attempted to steal thousands of pounds worth of merchandise. The robbery, minutes away from College, resulted in an armed response from police after the suspect attempted to flee from the scene towards Pelham Street. A shot was subsequently fired by an armed police officer under unknown circumstances prior to his arrest.
The man was initially seen running away from police into crowds of startled shoppers on Brompton Road after fleeing the jewellers on a motorbike. Felix spoke to a nearby policeman who said that the incident was contained after the suspect was challenged by the armed PC on Pelham Street. The firearm was later recovered.
A passer-by who witnessed the incident told Felix, "It was dramatic; a man wearing a motorcycle helmet was chased by police and when the gun went off it was quite frightening. There was certainly lots of commotion and you could hear sirens everywhere."
The suspect, described as "short and quite chubby", was made to lie face down on the floor as police recovered the firearm. The area was then promptly cordoned off while officers arrested the man. Scotland Yard later confirmed that no injuries had occurred during the incident.
