Moped Gang Strikes West London Jewellers in Dramatic Early Morning Heist
Police are intensively searching for a moped gang responsible for a high-value heist at a jewellery shop in west London, a location that was targeted in a strikingly similar raid just six years ago. The incident occurred at Sultan Jewellers on Uxbridge Road in Shepherds Bush, where several men used sledgehammers to smash the shop's windows at 3.30am on Thursday morning before fleeing with expensive jewellery.
Swift Police Response and Arrest
Officers from the Metropolitan Police arrived at the scene within an impressive three minutes, demonstrating rapid response capabilities. However, their intervention was met with aggression as the thieves, attempting to speed away on mopeds, threatened them with a hammer. Despite this, a 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated burglary and remains in police custody, though multiple accomplices managed to escape.
A police cordon remained in place for over 12 hours following the theft, with shards of broken glass and scattered jewellery still visible on the pavement outside. Jack Stones, the landlord at the neighbouring Defectors Weld pub, reported seeing fresh blood on the pavement when he walked past at 7am, more than three hours after the attack, indicating possible injuries during the chaotic escape.
Eerie Similarities to Previous Raid
Local residents have noted unsettling parallels between this heist and a previous incident in October 2019. In that case, three robbers armed with a sledgehammer used a Range Rover to smash into the shop, which was internally linked to the e-Smart Money foreign exchange. One resident, Mr Khan, who only gave his surname, commented on the recurring crime, stating, 'It’s Shepherds Bush, there’s always young people causing trouble, kicking the doors of shops down and drinking. Crime around here has got so bad lately.'
The 2019 robbery saw bystanders take matters into their own hands, restraining one of the robbers, Ben Wegener, as he attempted to flee on foot towards Westfield shopping centre. Wegener, of no fixed address, was later sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including robbery and dangerous driving, while his two accomplices escaped. Police recovered the stolen Range Rover, which was displaying false number plates.
Police Appeal for Information
Detective Superintendent Alex Bingley, from the Met's Central West command unit, praised the quick work of the officers and addressed public concerns. He said, 'Quick work by our officers meant we were on the scene within minutes and able to interrupt the thieves. I'd like to thank the response officers first on the scene, who were threatened with a weapon.' He added, 'We know that incidents like this cause significant concern for businesses and residents, but we would like to reassure the public that we are working at pace to identify all those involved in this burglary.'
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the burglary, or who has CCTV or dash cam footage, to come forward. Information can be reported by contacting police on 101 or online, quoting reference 732/29JAN26, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. This appeal highlights the ongoing efforts to combat such brazen criminal activities in the area.
