Man, 24, charged with robbery over smash-and-grab raid

A 24-year-old man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery after shopkeepers allegedly fought off a smash-and-grab gang.

Eight armed men on mopeds arrived at a jewellery shop in Kingsbury, north-west London, and began smashing windows and snatching jewellery from the shop's display area on Monday, police said.

Officers were called to the scene at about 2.12pm and took a man to a north London police station for questioning.

Lookman Shekoni, 24, of Josephine Avenue, Lambeth, has been charged with robbery.

Detective inspector Scott Hartley, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: "This was a brazen robbery carried out in the middle of the day.

"I would like to praise the bravery of those in the local community who intervened in dangerous circumstances."

Shekoni appeared at West Hendon Magistrates Court on September 9.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to call them on 0208 785 8655 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.