UPDATED WITH VIDEO: One male has been arrested in Sandown High Street this lunchtime (Wednesday) following an attempted armed robbery in broad daylight.
Police units raced to the scene at Sandown Jewellers at around 12:15 when members of the public apprehended a young male armed with two knives.
The suspect, believed to be a local youth, was swiftly arrested and has been taken to Newport Police Station for questioning.
The scene has now been cordoned off as investigations begin.
No one has been injured in the incident and the High Street remains open.
UPDATE @ 13:21 – One witness has described to Island Echo how a motorist jumped out of his van to assist in detaining the hooded armed suspect in a flurry of activity, just minutes before Police officers arrived.
Detectives from Newport CID have now arrived at the jewellers and are speaking to staff, who are demonstrating how the knife was brandished. Meanwhile a forensic scenes of crime officer is examining the scene, which remains cordoned off this afternoon.
UPDATE @ 14:51 – The cordon surrounding the High Street jewellers has now been lifted as questioning of the suspect gets underway in Newport.
One unnamed member of the public who assisted in pinning the teenager to the floor has said he was ‘just doing what anyone would do in that situation’.
UPDATE @ 16:10 – Hampshire Constabulary have confirmed that a 17-year-old male has been arrested following this afternoon’s incident.
Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially the driver of a blue van who assisted in the arrest.
Anyone with information should call Newport CID on 101. Calls can also be made to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This is the moment the armed youth was arrested by officers from the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit.
VIDEO:
