'Italian Job' thieves hunted over Wallsend shopping centre raid
Unlike Michael Caine's gang, who used red, white and blue Minis in their film heist, the real-life crooks drove a black hatchback.
Friday 15 February 2019 14:19, UK
CCTV footage of smash-and-grab raiders driving though a shopping centre has been likened by police to a scene from the 1960s crime classic The Italian Job.
Thieves used a car to crash through the doors of the mall in Wallsend, North Tyneside, before heading to the O2 shop where they broke in and stole phones and other expensive tech.
They then made their getaway and remain at large.
Unlike the iconic movie, however, where Michael Caine's gang used red, white and blue Mini Coopers to carry out their heist, the real-life crooks used a black hatchback in their dawn raid at the town's Forum Shopping Centre.
Police were alerted to the theft, which happened shortly after 4am on 29 January, when an alarm was triggered.
Releasing security film of the burglary, the Northumbria force said the scene "wouldn't look out of place in the film The Italian Job".
In a statement, PC David Hudson said: "The significant damage to the shopping centre and the burglary has caused substantial financial loss for the businesses involved.
"An investigation has been launched and I urge anyone with information, or who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed something, to get in touch."
:: Anyone with any information should contact police via 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.