CCTV footage captures moment phone snatcher is arrested with help from public
A suspected phone snatcher was arrested seconds after a phone was stolen, thanks to assistance from members of the public and a nearby police patrol.
City of London Police said two men on electric bikes were spotted on CCTV riding up Ludgate Hill towards St Paul’s Cathedral late on Tuesday.
The first suspect was captured snatching a phone from a woman, but managed to evade officers.
CCTV footage of the incident last Tuesday (Picture: City of London Police)
The second suspect, aged 23 from Southwark, turned back in the direction of where the phone was stolen. CCTV footage shows members of the public, who witnessed the phone snatching, chase after the man and slow him down before officers arrest him.
The 23-year-old has since been bailed pending further inquiries. Cops are exploring leads to identify and arrest the other suspect.
City of London Police Detective Sergeant Richard Dines said: “If you come to the City with the intention of stealing phones, you can expect to be met by officers on proactive patrols who will arrest you and bring you to justice.
“We’ve recovered a phone from the suspect that we believe may have been stolen. It is a silver iphone with two distinctive stickers on the back. One sticker is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York dated October 7.
“If it is your phone, or you have any details of who the phone might belong to, please call 020 7601 2222 quoting 616958.”
Pictured top: Still from CCTV footage showing members of the public chasing after a suspected phone snatcher (Picture: City of London Police)