THREE men have been charged after a raid on a St Albans jewellers last Thursday. The incident occurred at around 4.55pm, when two offenders entered Christopher Wharton Goldsmiths jewellers in George Street and stole a number of Rolex watches. The offender

THREE men have been charged after a raid on a St Albans jewellers last Thursday.

The incident occurred at around 4.55pm, when two offenders entered Christopher Wharton Goldsmiths jewellers in George Street and stole a number of Rolex watches. The offenders then made off in a blue Renault Espace towards Hemel Hempstead.

A nearby member of the public took down the registration plate of the vehicle and this was passed on to a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who arrived at the scene just a few minutes after the incident took place. The vehicle was then traced and three suspects were arrested in Edgware, North London.

The three, a 17-year-old from Camberwell, a 32-year-old man from Peckham and a 17-year-old from South Woodford, have all been charged with aggravated burglary. The 32-year-old has also been charged with aggravated taking a vehicle without consent and driving while disqualified and without insurance. The 17-year-olds have also both been charged with being carried in a vehicle which was taken without consent. They appeared at St Albans Magistrates Court on Saturday and were remanded to appear at St Albans Crown Court on November 10.

Detective Sergeant Laura Randall from the Local Crime Unit based at St Albans Police Station is investigating and said: "I am appealing to anyone who saw the burglary take place or who may have seen the blue Renault Espace driving around St Albans or on the M1 at around 5pm. I would also ask anyone who knows anything about the burglary to please come forward as your information could really help our investigation."

DS Randall added: "These arrests are due to the quick thinking of the member of the public who took down the registration details and the fast action work carried out by the PCSO."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Randall on 0845 33 00 222 citing crime reference number F1/08/4347 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.