Smash and grab raiders who targeted the Apple store in Regent Street were pursued through London in a high speed chase involving police cars and a helicopter early today.
Two alleged members of the gang were seized in their home after fleeing the scene on a stolen moped.
They were tracked by the Met’s helicopter to an address in Islington where officers arrested them.
Police were called to the Apple Store at 1.06am after reports of an attempted raid.
Witnesses reported seeing five suspects on three scooters smashed a 40cm hole through the toughened glass windows with axes and hammers. They fled empty-handed with police in pursuit.
It is thought officers lost them at first but then one of the scooters was spotted by the police helicopter and the chase resumed.
Scotland Yard said two men, aged 18 and 21, were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and dangerous driving.
Officers from the Met’s helicopter, with its call sign India 99, tweeted details of the incident this morning.
One said: “Apologies to anyone disturbed in the Tufnell Park area ... i99 is involved in pursuing a moped with 2 males allegedly involved in ... smash and grab offences with weapons. We have tracked them to an address and they are now under arrest. We are leaving now.”
In Regent Street today Apple store workers were clearing up after the attempted raid.
Business appeared to be continuing as normal as staff prepared to open the store normal this morning, with staff in their blue t-shirts called in to a huddled meeting just after 8.30am.
Workers would not discuss the attempted break-in, saying that had been told not to comment.
One manager, taking photos on her iPhone for evidence, said: “Someone smashed the glass, that’s all, nothing was taken, you’ll have to speak to our media team.”
