Hero customer chases samurai sword gang out shop using crate of beer
This is the moment a have-a-go-hero chased off armed robbers by throwing a crate of beer at them.
Jeffrey Chikosha, 25, Brandon Jarrett, 23, and a third unknown accomplice were holding up a Londis with samurai swords when it all kicked off.
CCTV footage shows Jarrett threatening the lone female shop worker, shouting: ‘Open the till or you’re gonna get hurt.’
When she struggled to open it, the masked thug shouted: ‘Open it or I’m gonna hit you with it.’
That’s when the brave customer challenged the gang, telling them: ‘Make it quick and leave.’
He warned he would start retaliating before he picks up the box of beer bottles and launches it at them.
He then arms himself with another heavy box and, despite being outnumbered, chases the yobs from the shop on Wetherby Road, Leeds.
Police said the shop worker was shaken up by the raid on December 23, 2021, but thankfully not injured.
The terrifying robbery was the third time the gang had ransacked stores in the space of a few weeks.
Ten days earlier, they burst into Skelton Wood Post Office and climbed over the counter before escaping cash, cigarettes and alcohol.
The gang waited until after Christmas before striking a Co-op, again masked and armed with swords.
Police discovered Jarrett and Chikosha had called a taxi ten minutes after the offence, which dropped Chikosha off close to his home.
Detective Constable Alan Andrews was then able to recognise Chikosha from his walk and his voice on the CCTV recording.
This was later backed up by a voice recognition expert who compared it with an audio recording from the taxi booking, and previous police custody footage.
Jarrett had also worn a distinctive coat during the crime spree, which was recovered at a family address following his arrest.
They denied any involvement but were both charged with armed robberies and possession of samurai swords.
Jarrett pleaded guilty and Chikosha was convicted following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.
Chikosha was jailed for nine years while Jarrett was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Inspector Vicky Vessey praised the bravery of the customer.
She said: ‘While we always advise people caught up in such potentially dangerous situations to put their safety first, his actions clearly made the difference in bringing this incident to a conclusion before anyone was seriously hurt.
‘We will be making sure that his courage is formally recognised through our awards process.’
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