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Jimmy Choo smash-and-grab raid foiled
Rashid Razaq, Evening Standard13 Mar 2008
A motorcycle gang struck in the West End for the second time in two days with a failed smash-andgrab raid on a designer shoe shop.
The thieves smashed through the window of the Jimmy Choo boutique in New Bond Street last night - less than 200 yards from Tuesday's attack on Italian fashion retailer Salvatore Ferragamo.
Four suspects riding on two scooters tried to gain entry into the brand's flagship store at around midnight, but were thwarted when electronic security shutters activated after the glass was broken.
The raiders were forced to leave empty handed and were seen speeding off towards Conduit Street. Police are investigating whether the thieves are part of the same gang that targeted Salvatore Ferragamo.
A woman and a male accomplice stole at least 10 handbags worth thousands of pounds each in Tuesday's robbery.
The woman was seen riding away with armfuls of the bags after she smashed through the shop's glass door.
Jimmy Choo would have provided a similarly valuable haul if the thieves had been successful. The label, founded by Tamara Mellon and the Malaysian designer, produces shoes costing between £350 and £600 a pair on average but prices can reach £1,200.
Other stores in Bond Street and Sloane Street have stepped up security following a wave of motorbike raids.
There have been more than 60 robberies at designer boutiques and jewellers in Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Chelsea in the past few years.
A Met spokeswoman said: "It is too early to say at this stage whether this incident is linked to other incidents in the area."
