Dramatic raid on Belfast clothes shop captured on video

Police are investigating reports of a robbery at a clothes shop in Belfast city centre.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Apr 2020, 13:25 BST
The aftermath of the robberyThe aftermath of the robbery
The aftermath of the robbery

SD Kells on Bedford Street was targeted in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Detective Inspector Andy George said a car was reversed into the front door of the shop before items of clothing were removed.

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“We received a report around 1am that a Vauxhall Corsa had reversed into the front door of the shop causing the window to shatter,” he said.

“A number of suspects then removed items of clothing from the store placing them in the boot of the car.

“Some of the clothes were recovered after they fell out of the vehicle as the thieves made their escape.”

The vehicle, which had been reported stolen from the Newtownabbey area on Friday, was later recovered in the St Peters Court area of Belfast.

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Mr George said: “I am appealing for anyone with information regarding this crime to contact us.

Workmen board up the entrance of S.D. Kells clothing shop in Bedford Street, Belfast after it was ram raided for the second night in a row by thieves using a stolen car. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISONWorkmen board up the entrance of S.D. Kells clothing shop in Bedford Street, Belfast after it was ram raided for the second night in a row by thieves using a stolen car. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON
Workmen board up the entrance of S.D. Kells clothing shop in Bedford Street, Belfast after it was ram raided for the second night in a row by thieves using a stolen car. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON

“Police are aware that of footage of this incident is circulating online and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who has recorded dash-cam or mobile phone footage. Please call 101, quoting reference 1515 04/04/20.”

Video footage is circulating on social media which appears to show a car outside the shop before departing at speed.

The video was posted on Twitter by Chris Suitor, who runs a menswear shop close to SD Kells.

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He voiced his disgust at the incident, expressing solidarity with the shop owners and urging anyone with information to assist the police investigation.

SD Kells owner Sammy McIlwaine told the BBC: “We have 20-odd stores closed at the minute which is enough hassle and now these guys are trying to rob us.

“It is annoying, yes, especially when we live in Fermanagh, we have to drive up and try to sort the situation out.”