A
masked raider, who snatched over £100,000 worth of designer handbags
from a Chelsea boutique, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Christopher
Gibbs, 31, and two others struck at the Designer Exchange, Egerton
Terrace on May 24 taking luxury brands including Hermes Birkin,
Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
They
even helped themselves to a customer's £1,600 handbag, which was
snatched from the woman as she shopped with her twelve year-old son,
during the surprise raid.
He
pleaded guilty to burgling the store, taking twenty-five handbags,
when he appeared at Isleworth Crown Court.
Staff
managed to activate an alarm which filled the shop with thick smoke
forcing the suspects to flee the premises.
Although
Gibbs had his face covered with a mask during the raid it slipped as
he fled the shop and he was captured on CCTV.
Officers
were able to identify him and he was arrested on July 17.
Detective
Constable Neil Webb from Kensington and Chelsea police, said: "The
suspects, one of which was Gibbs, put the female staff, the customer
and her twelve-year-old son in fear of attack.
“They
were shouting to everyone to 'shut up' causing immense distress.
"Gibbs
has refused to name his accomplices and we have not recovered the
stolen bags which are valued at more than one hundred thousand
pounds.
"If
you have any information which could help us identify the other
suspects or recover the bags then please contact police."
Any
witnesses should call Kensington and Chelsea CID on 020 8246 0173 or
to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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