A pair of jewellery robbers had their escape plan foiled by a brave onlooker who took away the keys from their getaway bike.
The duo - armed with a wheel wrench and a hammer - tried to snatch back the keys, but gave up and tried to run off.
One of the men was tackled down by an off-duty police officer. He was subsequently charged with robbery.
However, his accomplice escaped with watches and jewellery.
Police are still hunting for the second man following the robbery in Colchester town centre on Saturday.
Described as wearing a grey coloured tracksuit, black trainers and a white motorcycle helmet, he was seen running off in the direction of Scheregate Steps.
Onlooker Jodie Brown caught the failed escape on camera outside Chimes jewellery store, and said witnessing the incident was like being in a crime documentary.
She said: “I was walking past down the street and I saw the commotion happening and pointed the bike out to my other half. He looked in their direction and noticed the men had masks on so he pulled me away.
“If you watch television at the moment there have been so many documentaries and stories about moped robberies.
“So he told me to pull my phone out and start recording, just in case something happened
“It was just like what we watched on TV a few nights before."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Colchester CID on 101, quoting incident 503 of July 28.
South West News Service
