Designer Bag Raider Jailed For £100,000-Plus Snatch

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.