Antique seller tied up and held at gunpoint in armed Camden Passage robbery
An antiques trader was tied up and threatened at gunpoint in an armed raid on his shop.
Lou Wax was alone in his antique silverware store, Wax Antiques in Camden Passage, Islington, when a robber burst in brandishing a handgun and sporting a black crash helmet.
While an accomplice stood guard outside, the thief threatened Mr Wax before taking him into a back room and tying his hands behind his back. The duo then made off with five antique silver trays.
Mr Wax, who runs the shop with his wife Ann, said: “A chap came in and said ‘this is a robbery’ and pointed what he said was a gun at me. Then he took me into the back room and tied my hands up behind my back.
“It was over in a matter of minutes, I think they were disturbed. It wasn’t pleasant, although I was able to free myself after they left. They just came here for what they could get.”
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Wax Antiques has been in Camden Passage, an historic cobbled street famed for its antique sellers, for 12 years. This is the first time the shop has been targeted by armed robbers.
Police today issued an appeal for eyewitnesses to come forward (December 17). The robbery took place at about 1.30pm on Monday November 26, but Flying Squad officers are holding out hope of jogging someone’s memory.
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Mr Wax added: “I hope someone will come up with something so they are caught.”
The gunman was white, over 6ft tall and of large build. He was wearing a black crash helmet and put the items into a green holdall.
The other suspect was a slim white man, wearing a dark jacket and trousers. The pair ran off towards Charlton Place.
The stolen items were two 1927 Henry Akins solid antique silver trays, two Joseph Jackson large antique Dublin silver trays and one JRF & Co sterling silver tray.
Det Con James Mess from Finchley Flying Squad said: “This robbery occurred in broad daylight and I appeal to members of the public who may have been in that area at the time and possibly noticed something suspicious or saw anyone matching the above descriptions, or if you have been offered any items of property that fit the descriptions above, please contact police in confidence.”
Anyone with information should call police on 020 8358 1751 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
