Moment e-bike criminal behind a blight of telephone thefts in London is caught as police helicopter tracks youth after he snatched cellular from girl’s arms

A e-bike riding thief who snatched a mobile from the hands of a woman sat at a bus stop has been caught by police after a series of crimes.

A dramatic video shows the moment the crook rides onto the pavement, wearing all black and a face covering, followed by a group of youths also riding e-bikes.

He then rides up to a bus stop and steals the phone out of the victim’s hands whilst she is using it.

The video was released by the Metropolitan Police, which shows them tracking the rider in a police helicopter as he makes off with the stolen phone. 

In the video, they identify the thief as having stolen multiple phones. 

At the end of the video, officers catch up with the suspect and he is detained by the police at a youth centre. 

The dramatic moment as the thief snatches the phone right out of the victims hands at a bus stop

The crook is then seen riding off, but is captured on CCTV by officers who are tracking him

Officers catch up with the suspect at a youth centre and he is detained

In the video, an officer said: ‘We were approached by a member of the public who saw him throw a bum bag type bag whilst travelling down Holton Road.

‘We have got it in our possession, it has multiple stolen phones inside wrapped in in tin foil.

Another officer said: ‘He’s shown no regard for any pedestrians.’

The Met Police have said in the first half of this year officers have recovered more than 750 stolen phones.

Detective Superintendent Saj Hussain, who leads on phone robbery and theft in the Met, previously said: ‘Thanks to these observant and fast-acting officers another mobile phone thief has been taken off the streets of London. 

‘We understand the impact robbery can have on victims and we also recognise that there is still much more to do to tackle the problem as we make London safer. 

Police tracked the suspect using a police helicopter and thermal imaging

The video shows police following him from above as he rides away with the phone

‘Met officers are targeting resources in hotspot areas with increased patrols and plain clothes officers – and this result makes clear this approach is having a positive impact.

‘We encourage people to report as soon as they can whenever they have been the victim of a robbery or theft so officers can attend the scene and investigate swiftly.’