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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.

Video grab of the Range Rover smashing through the shop entrance. Video shows the dramatic moment a gang of armed robbers smashed their way into a jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover, before one the members of the gang was detained by a member of public attempting to get away. See National News story NNraid. A gang of armed robbers smashed their way into a jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover, before 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. When the vehicle narrowly missed the people inside, the robbers got out and then smashed the glass display cases using a sledgehammer and a hammer, and put items of jewellery into bags.
A gang of armed robbers used a luxury Range Rover to smash their way into a jewellery shop in Shepherd's Bush, west London, before members of the public stopped one of them from running away (SWNS)

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.

Video grab of a member of the gang being stopped from leaving the shop by a member of public with a pole. Video shows the dramatic moment a gang of armed robbers smashed their way into a jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover, before one the members of the gang was detained by a member of public attempting to get away. See National News story NNraid. A gang of armed robbers smashed their way into a jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover, before 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. When the vehicle narrowly missed the people inside, the robbers got out and then smashed the glass display cases using a sledgehammer and a hammer, and put items of jewellery into bags.
When the vehicle narrowly missed the people inside, the robbers got out and then smashed the glass display cases using a sledgehammer and a hammer, and put items of jewellery into bags (SWNS)

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.

(SWNS)
Ben Wegener, 34, pleaded guilty to robbery, dangerous driving, and possession of offensive weapon, criminal damage and receiving stolen goods (SWNS)

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.

Video grab of members of the gang taking jewellery from the jewellery cases. Video shows the dramatic moment a gang of armed robbers smashed their way into a jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover, before one the members of the gang was detained by a member of public attempting to get away. See National News story NNraid. A gang of armed robbers smashed their way into a jewellery shop using a luxury Range Rover, before 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. When the vehicle narrowly missed the people inside, the robbers got out and then smashed the glass display cases using a sledgehammer and a hammer, and put items of jewellery into bags.
Video grab of members of the gang taking jewellery from the jewellery cases (SWNS)

"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."