ROBBER ARRESTED AFTER KNIFE THREAT IN RICHMOND SHOP
Officers were called to the O2 shop in The Quadrant, Richmond on Sunday (11th May) to reports of a robbery where two men had entered the premises and threatened staff with a knife.
Officers from Emergency Response team (ERPt) arrived within 3 minutes of the initial call and confronted the suspects as they were trying to escape.
According to police, one officer narrowly avoided injury after a suspect tried to slash at them with a knife before managing to escape from the rear fire exit.
The other suspect was located within the premises, challenged by officers equipped with taser and arrested.
The outstanding suspect was chased on foot into Richmond town centre but escaped. Enquiries continue at pace to identify and arrest him.
South West Robbery team are leading this investigation and have charged a man unconnected with the Richmond area with robbery and possession of a knife.
They have been remanded in custody to appear at court today. (tuesday)
Separately, following a series of shop and commercial premises burglaries over the last two weeks at various locations, including East Sheen, Kew and South Richmond wards, a suspect has been arrested, charged and remanded to appear in court today.
Carl Richardson, aged 44 of no fixed abode, was arrested yesterday following a proactive operation to locate him after he was identified in relation to a series of burglaries. He has now been charged with 8 offences in relation to these, and will also be recalled to prison following his appearance at court today.
Officers from South West burglary team led the investigation into these offences, assisted by proactive units and neighbourhoods teams to collect evidence and bring the suspect before the courts.