This was the moment two shops in Leeds were raided by police investigating sales of suspected stolen goods.
Officers seized thousands of pounds worth of mobile phones, laptops, sat-navs and other electrical goods in a bust aimed at strangling the supply of valuables stolen in burglaries, car break-ins and robberies.
The cops, from Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team, wrenched open security shutters and smashed through doors to gain entry to Mobile Mania and Media Mania, on Trentham Street in Beeston, yesterday morning. (Oct 18)
It followed warrants granted by magistrates.
Sgt Jon Arrowsuch, who led the raids, said: “There is lots of intelligence to suggest that these premises are frequented by some of our well-known offenders on a regular basis.
“We believe several of the local burglars, thieves and car thieves use them to get rid of stuff.”
During a briefing before the raids, Sgt Arrowsuch told officers any books and documents were to be confiscated, along with valuables.
He said there was evidence to suggest mobile phones being stolen in Leeds were being shipped abroad, including to Pakistan.
There were also claims drug addicts were stealing valuables as currency to give to dealers, who would then sell them on.
Police remained on-site for several hours after the 10am raids.
Sgt Arrowsuch said: “We ended up removing several van loads of goods.
“We seized loads of laptops as well as iPads and iPhones. We’ve got a lot of work to do now to sort through them and see what we’ve got.”
It is understood the shop’s owner was spoken to but no-one has been arrested.
West Yorkshire Trading Standards officers, who were also involved, seized hundreds of suspected counterfeit items including DVDs and phone covers.