A group of masked teenagers allegedly raided an Apple store and stole £50,000 worth of mobile phones, a court has heard.
Horrified shoppers fled with their children the group of 10 helped themselves to the phones at the store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, northwest London.
It took them just 24 seconds to race in and leave with the goods.
Police were called, and officers arrested six youths following the raid on Sunday.
Mycah Omo-Idahosa, 18, along with two 15-year-old boys, all from Lambeth, a 14-year-old boy from Croydon and a 16-year-old boy from Cambridge, were all charged with robbery.
They all appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court speaking only to confirm their names and dates of birth.
Omo-Idahosa and one of the 15-year-olds indicated pleas of not guilty, while the other 15-year-old and the 16-year-old both gave no indication of plea.
Prosecutor Lisa Wren told the court: ‘On 5 January at the Apple Store in Brent Cross shopping centre, approximately 10 suspects have approached the store and tried to enter.’
Horrified shoppers fled with their children the group of 10 helped themselves to the phones at the store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, northwest London
The group appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court speaking only to confirm their names and dates of birth
She added: ‘They all entered the store, they stole approximately 50 mobile phones – I note there’s no value at present but it is estimated each phone is worth about £1,000, so a high value estimation of £50,000.’
District Judge Lorraine McDonagh ordered the teenagers to appear at Harrow Crown Court on 4 February.
A 14-year-old boy will attend Croydon Youth Court on 7 February.
Oma-Idahosa and one of the 15-year-olds were remanded in custody while the remaining defendants were granted bail subject to stringent conditions including curfews between 7pm and 7am.
A Met Police spokesperson earlier said: ‘Six teenage boys have been arrested following a theft from a shop in Barnet after police arrived quickly at the scene.
‘Police were called at around 14:35hrs on Sunday, 5 January to reports that a group had entered a shop in Brent Cross Shopping Centre before stealing a large number of mobile phones.
‘Officers attended and quickly made arrests a short time after the incident was reported to police. The teenagers, all aged between 14-18, were all arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken to custody, where they remain for questioning.
‘Enquiries continue.’
