This is the moment when a suspected drug dealer disguised as a Deliveroo driver crashes his moped in an affluent part of London and then leads the police on a foot chase before he is arrested.
Video footage from Thursday afternoon shows two police cars attempting to corner the man in Chelsea before the suspect abandons his bike and sprints down the street.
The man in the bright turquoise uniform can be seen running down the street followed by two police officers on foot and another police officer on a moped.
He was later arrested on suspicion of traffic offenses and possession with intent to deliver Class A drugs outside Ivy Asia on King’s Road, which was surrounded by police cars. He remains in custody.
It comes amid calls for an urgent investigation into online sales of delivery uniforms over fears they are being used as a cover for crimes.
MailOnline found several examples of large thermal bags available on popular marketplaces such as eBay.
Some sellers also offer a full rider kit, including t-shirts, jackets, and even branded bike helmets.
On Sunday, a thief, also dressed in Deliveroo gear, smashed into a £3million Bugatti Chiron with a hammer to steal a Kuwaiti playboy’s Rolex.
The Metropolitan Police said yesterday’s arrest was unrelated to Sunday’s incidents but an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances.
Susan Hall AM, chair of the Greater London Authority’s Police and Crime Committee, told MailOnline she was concerned the sale of the equipment would fuel a market for muggers.
“It is very worrying how easy it has become for criminals to evade detection using equipment purchased online, most recently by posing as a delivery driver,” she said.
“Online marketplaces and companies like Deliveroo urgently need to investigate and eradicate this practice.”
A Deliveroo spokesman said: “Deliveroo drivers are self-employed and those who work with us must have the right to work in the UK and no unused criminal convictions.
“Drivers are required to complete these verifications before the Deliveroo kit is available to them, and we are in the process of rolling out new identity verification technology to further strengthen our system of identity verifications on the platform.”
Video footage from Thursday afternoon shows two police cars attempting to corner the man in Chelsea before the suspect abandons his bike and sprints down the street
The man in the bright turquoise uniform can be seen running down the street followed by two police officers on foot and another police officer on a moped
He was later arrested outside the Ivy Asia on King’s Road, surrounded by police cars
MailOnline found several examples of large thermal bags available on popular marketplaces such as eBay
Some online retailers offer a complete delivery kit for riders, including t-shirts, jackets and even branded bike helmets
A witness to Thursday’s incident, who runs the Watch Crime London Instagram account, told MailOnline: “A man dressed as a Deliveroo driver on a moped in Chelsea smashed into car windows and tried to watch on Margaretta Terrace to steal.
“The police arrived immediately and he crashed his moped into a police car and a Porsche, crashed and ran up Oakley Street.
‘[He] was caught in front of the Ivy on the King’s Road. Police said they now have incidents like this more than 10 times a day and have police on the scene 24 hours a day.
Over the weekend, Abdullah F. Al Basman, known for posting photos of his sports cars and jewellery, was targeted during a drive in central London for wearing a platinum Rolex Daytona watch valued at £110,000.
Video shows a driver wearing a Deliveroo uniform stopping in traffic and smashing the window of the Bugatti Chiron with a hammer on Park Lane near Hyde Park Corner, Mayfair.
They then appear to hit the car multiple times before the hypercar drives off quickly and the thief takes no valuables.
Another driver – also in a Deliveroo outfit – drives alongside the thief as they flee the scene.
Met Police believe the incident could be linked to the attack of another man in his 40s who had his watch stolen in Mayfair the same day.
After the attempted theft, Mr. Al Basman is helped out of his crashed sports car.
The Kuwaiti playboy, who was staying at the Berkeley Hotel, is believed to have been targeted after posting pictures of his supercars and expensive watches on social media.
While Scotland Yard said the incidents in Chelsea on Thursday and in Mayfair last Sunday were not being treated as connected, police chiefs acknowledged there had been an increase in examples of robberies on the street.
Detective Chief Superintendent Owain Richards, who is responsible for policing Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea, said: “In Central West BCU we have seen an increase in these types of robberies in recent weeks as criminals take advantage of the longer days and the busier streets. We know similar increases have occurred in other areas of the city.
“We want people living in and visiting London to be able to enjoy our city safely – no one should have to go about their day in fear of thieves.
“We know the impact these crimes have on each and every victim, and that’s why we have extra officers on duty in places where these crimes are most prevalent. This includes those from special forces, like our Op Venice teams.
“We are also reminding people to be aware of their surroundings and to keep valuables out of sight whenever possible.”
In 2019, a stun gun robber who disguised himself as a Deliveroo driver to pull off two robberies was sentenced to five years in prison.
Michael Ahmed, 25, was hoping police would ignore him as he sped off in a Deliveroo jacket with a matching delivery bag.
Susan Hall AM, chair of the Greater London Authority’s Police and Crime Committee, told MailOnline she was concerned the sale of the bags would fuel a market for muggers
A driver in Deliveroo uniform is seen smashing a car with a hammer on Park Lane on Sunday
Video shows a driver pulling over in traffic and smashing the passenger side of the sports car with a hammer at Hyde Park Corner in Mayfair
Ahmed, 25, had hoped police would ignore him as he sped off on a moped, left, wearing a Deliveroo jacket with a matching delivery bag, pictured right
Southwark Crown Court overheard him robbing a 17-year-old who was parked his car in Westminster in the early hours of November 30, 2018.
Ahmed threatened the youth with the tranquilizer and demanded his watch. The victim ran away as Ahmed searched his car and snatched the keys.
Shortly thereafter, Ahmed pulled up in front of the Carlton Tower on Cadogan Place in Kensington and Chelsea and approached a 25-year-old man who was also parking his car.
Ahmed ordered the driver to hand over his valuables and used the stun gun on his right hand, but the victim managed to disarm Ahmed, who ran back to his moped and sped away.
Police scientists took DNA from the machine and matched it to Ahmed, and when officers searched his Wandsworth home, they found the jacket and delivery bag.
The moped was found across the street, hidden under a cover, and Ahmed was arrested while hiding in an attic.
He admitted to robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a firearm (namely a tranquilizer).
A Met Police spokesman said of yesterday’s incident: “At around 4:25pm on Thursday 25 August, Operation Venice officers on patrol in Kensington & Chelsea attempted to stop a moped rider.
“The driver failed to stop for police and a pursuit was authorized. The driver was arrested near Kings Road and subsequently arrested on suspicion of traffic offenses and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
“He was taken to a police station where he remains in custody. Inquiries continue.’
When asked for a response to Thursday’s incident, a Deliveroo spokesman told MailOnline: “We will assist the police investigation in any way we can.”
eBay was asked to comment on the online availability of branded items.
