A London shopkeeper was left shaken after being attacked and robbed by a group of shoplifters in two separate incidents, just two days apart.
The gang’s brazen actions were caught on CCTV, with the shopkeeper being targeted both on March 3 and again on March 5 at his store located on Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square.
First Incident: Brutal Attack and Theft
The first robbery took place at 10:31 PM on March 3 when a group of young individuals stormed into the shop, catching the shopkeeper completely off guard.
Wearing dark clothing, hoods, and balaclavas, the gang approached the counter, and things quickly escalated.
The tallest member of the group approached the shopkeeper, trying to get a closer look at the vapes behind the counter.
But before anything could happen, the situation turned violent.
As another member of the group joined in, they forced the shopkeeper out from behind the counter, subjecting him to a vicious beating of punches and kicks.
After overpowering him, the gang quickly snatched boxes of vapes and fled the scene.
The whole ordeal was caught on CCTV, and the shaken shopkeeper immediately reported the attack to the authorities.
Second Incident: Gang Strikes Again
Just two days later, on March 5 at 10:05 PM, the same group returned for round two.
Once again, they stormed the store, pushing the shopkeeper before stealing more vapes.
The same brutal tactics were used—dragging him from behind the counter, punching and kicking him, and then escaping with the goods.
Despite the clear footage and the shopkeeper’s report to the police, no arrests have been made yet.
The police have indicated they believe the robberies may be linked to the same group of men, likely in their 20s.
Ongoing Investigation by Police
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they are actively investigating both robberies, which took place at the same shop near Leicester Square.
The police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We are investigating following two reports of robbery at a shop near Leicester Square,” said the spokesperson. “Enquiries are ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.”
Anyone with information about the incidents is encouraged to contact the police by calling 101 and quoting the reference number 7996/5MAR.
A Disturbing Pattern of Crime in Central London
These repeated attacks highlight a concerning trend in London’s central areas, where incidents of violent shoplifting and robbery are becoming more frequent.
While CCTV footage has helped identify the suspects, it’s clear that more needs to be done to prevent such disturbing crimes from happening again.
As the investigation continues, local residents and shopkeepers are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.