A raid on a south Birmingham mobile phone shop – by a machete-wielding gang of thieves – was thwarted when members of the public and police prevented their getaway with the stolen goods yesterday (Tuesday 22nd January). One man was arrested.
Armed raid
West Midlands Police received a call to Carphone Warehouse on High Street in Longbridge at around 5.20pm.
Three men – wearing masks and brandishing a machete – entered the store, stealing a large number of mobile phones.
Detained by public
However, when the three jumped into a waiting VW Golf to make their getaway, a number of people close by detained the driver, awaiting arrival of police officers. The other two offenders managed to flee the scene on foot.
Recovered
The mobile phones were recovered, as was the VW which was discovered to have been stolen in a burglary in Halesowen.
Arrest
A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and remains in police custody while investigations continue.
Anyone with information should contact officers via Live Chat at west-midlands.pnn.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 any time, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote Log Number 1811 of 22 January.
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