Dramatic moment Range Rover drives through jeweller's window before robbery thwarted by members of the public
This is the moment a gang of armed robbers smash into jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover - before brave members of the public stopped one of them from running away.
Ben Wegener, 34, pleaded guilty to robbery, dangerous driving, and possession of offensive weapon, criminal damage and receiving stolen goods.
He and two accomplices drove a black Range Rover through the front of a jewellery shop in Shepherds Bush, west London, on October 25, 2019.
The robbers got out and smashed glass display cases, using a sledgehammer and a hammer, and put items of jewellery into bags.
Having ransacked the store, the suspects attempted to flee the scene.
But Wegener was prevented from escaping by plucky members of the public who gathered outside and captured him.
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He was detained by police and arrested and charged with the offences.
Wegner, who previously pleaded guilty in November, was sentenced to ten years imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday.
The Range Rover used by the robbers was recovered by police, and found to have been stolen from an address in Wandsworth earlier that month, and displaying false number plates.
Detective Constable Sam Weller of the Central West Robbery Squad, who led the investigation, said: “This was a reckless robbery committed in front of shoppers on a busy high street.
"It was sheer luck that no one was seriously injured when the vehicle smashed through the shop front, and the shop owner and customers were threatened with serious violence when the robbers where inside.
"The raid was thwarted by members of the public who chased down and held Wegener as he tried to escape.
"This was a terrifying incident for the victims and everyone who witnessed it unfold, and Wegener will now spend a significant period of time in jail.”
DC Weller added: "Unfortunately, his two accomplices left the scene and remain outstanding.
"We will continue to pursue leads in order to identify them, and we would urge anyone who has information about those people to contact police."