This is the moment plain-clothed officers caught two teens red-handed allegedly stealing mobile phones worth nearly £19k. Hertfordshire Police were carrying out patrols in St Albans earlier this month when they spotted the pair acting suspiciously.
They were allegedly caught stuffing phones into a bag in an EE shop and were tackled by officers. Both were arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery as 26 iPhones were recovered.
The suspects, a 16-year-old boy from Dulwich, London, and a 17-year-old boy from Chelmsford, in Essex, also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, were bailed on Thursday, August 7 for further enquiries to take place.
Neighbourhood inspector Paul Caro said: “I hope this news reassures the community that our officers are working hard with local retailers to help tackle robbery and shoplifting, both uniformed and plain-clothes officers.
“Without knowing about what weapons they may have had, or threat posed, the officers acted on instinct and entered the store to catch the offenders in the act and make the arrests.
“Stealing from shops and businesses is not a victimless crime – it impacts on the stores and their employees but also leads to an increase in prices for all and really concerns people living and working locally.”
A police spokesperson said: “The four Neighbourhood Policing officers were carrying out targeted patrols in the city’s shopping area earlier this month when they spotted the pair acting suspiciously.
“Seeing them go to the back of the store, they acted swiftly, arresting both males on suspicion of attempted robbery, and recovering some 26 iPhones.
“The suspects, a 16-year-old boy from Dulwich, London, and a 17-year-old boy from Chelmsford, in Essex, also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, were bailed on Thursday 7 August for further enquiries to take place.”
