Public praised for helping catch jewel thief and handing in dropped valuables

TWO jewellers have praised members of the public who helped them chase down the ringleader of a three-man gang which raided their shop.

Thanks to support from fellow traders and shoppers in Lyndhurst village centre, the married couple not only thwarted the trio but also salvaged thousands of pounds of stock.

Steve and Suzanne, who live in the New Forest and run Christopher Stephens Jewellers in the high street, have asked for their surnames to be withheld over fears of repercussions.

They spoke to the A&T ahead of the sentencing of the ringleader of the three-person gang, Lewis Bale (34), of Sleap Crescent, Poole. He was due to appear at Southampton Crown Court today (Thursday) having pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

Steve recalled how he was in the workshop when the three entered the store. It soon became clear they were up to no good so he blocked the door and the shop’s panic button was pushed.

“One of the gentleman was still saying he didn’t know the other two but I said to him, ‘That’s fine, you are going to have to sort it out with police who are on their way’.

“But the situation escalated quite quickly and I had a tussle with the main guy while the other chap decided he would take advantage of that and was managing to get more stock, and the guy got away from me and went out. But I chased him out of the shop and across the road.

“I roughly tackled him outside. It wasn’t like a fight or anything like that but I was trying to grab him. A Costa customer – who was a first responder – came out and helped me detain the guy. He was brilliant, he was so calm and took control of the situation.

“Meanwhile other traders and villagers ran out of their shops to help and surrounded the guy and stopped him getting away.

“Without their help it certainly would have ended a very different way and we managed to detain him until police turned up and arrested him – which took a considerable effort considering the guy was still desperately trying to get away.”

Susanne added: “People were coming from all directions and we really would like to say a special thank you to everyone who did help out.

“We even had people come to us and hand in some of the stock these men had taken which they had dropped on the ground.”

Steve said: “I always think to myself, ‘I wonder if people find a diamond ring on the floor if they’d pick it up and take it to a jewellers’.

“But people picked things up and brought them back, and that was quite heart-warming actually.

“The reaction of fellow traders and the public was incredibly selfless, swift and impressive. The care and support of everyone was immensely encouraging and emphasised the wonderful community spirit of Lyndhurst.”

The other two involved in the incident, which happened on the afternoon of 15th December 2018, have already been sent to prison.

Caroline Johnson (44), of Whitelaw Road, Southampton, and Martin Poole (49), of Rosemary Road, Poole, were each given 18 months’ jail, having pleaded guilty to theft.

After police arrived and arrested Bale, they drove Steve around the village to see if he could spot the other two who were still at large. They were subsequently arrested after officers linked them to Bale and analysed CCTV from other shops.

A jeweller for 18 years, Steve laughed that his response on the day was exactly the opposite of what he would preach to other store owners.

“I’m the first person to say this is not what you should do,” he said. “I would always advise anyone else, and the insurance companies always advise people, not to confront anyone like this and leave it to the insurance. You do not know if they are armed or how desperate they are.

“I’m not a brave person at all and it was just instinct. It was all over in a very short time.

“Everybody helped to bring these people to justice and it shows what a great community spirit there is here in Lyndhurst amongst people and the traders.”