Hero tackled gem heist raiders who nearly killed his baby

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Peter Dominiczak12 April 2012

A shopper who helped foil a smash-and-grab raid on a City jeweller told today how the thieves could have killed his six-month-old girl.

Handyman Johann Alexander, 33, was with his wife Adrina, 30, and daughter Hannah when four men on two stolen motorcycles rode into the One New Change shopping centre near St Paul's.

They drove at the terrified couple, narrowly missing the baby's buggy. Armed with sledgehammers, two of the gang then smashed their way through the front door of the Fraser Hart store before grabbing watches. While they were inside two men, both believed to be passersby, held the store's door shut to prevent them escaping. As they tried to smash their way out, a woman joined in and helped grab two of the gang as one of the motorcyclists rode his bike at people to keep them away.

Up to 25 more shoppers — including Mr Alexander — then joined in, sitting on the pair until police arrived. Two of the gang managed to escape. Mr Alexander, who lives in Southwark, said: "We were waiting for the lift. There weren't many people around and then suddenly we saw the motorbikes driving into the centre.

"One of them almost drove straight into us. It was really scary. We were pushing my daughter's buggy and the motorbike almost hit it.

"At first we tried to hide inside a shop. We were inside and then we saw a man fighting with one of the robbers. I was very afraid but I decided to leave my wife and daughter and go and help."

Mr Alexander told how a large group of shoppers quickly overwhelmed two of the gang. He added: "I was angry that they had almost hurt my family. When I got to the shop about 25 other people joined in and helped to catch them and pin them down. We were holding two of them down. The robbers were both shaking. They looked so shocked.

"My wife was crying. She was so upset about how close the bike had come to the buggy."

The raiders are believed to have grabbed up to £200,000 of watches last Friday. It was the first time a store in the new City mall has been targeted.

Rahel Tesfu, 18, who works at Guess, opposite the jewellery store, said: "We couldn't believe how many people were helping. There was actually a round of applause when they managed to pin them down. One woman was punched in the face."

Two men, aged 19 and 20, appeared before City of London magistrates on Monday charged with robbery. They were remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey in February. Police are appealing for witnesses to call 020 7601 2222.

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