Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Rachel Keenan

Edinburgh shop catches man on CCTV 'stealing iphone and running away'

A furious Edinburgh shop owner has caught the moment a thief stole an iPhone 12 and ran off.

Total Repair Centre on Elm Row say they are still waiting for information on the case after claiming the man stole a £600 iPhone on May 5.

READ MORE - Edinburgh locals watch as police 'in riot gear' smash down neighbour's door

Farukh Shabaz, the owner of the shop, has hit out following the brazen crime.

He posted a still of the CCTV footage on social media in a bid to find the criminal. He claims his experience with the man seemed very normal until he ran off.

He said: “The guy walked in wanting advice on an iPhone. He didn't seem like other obvious thieves we have had in the store, I didn't suspect that he would run off.

“As I was ringing up his items another customer walked in and he told me he was happy to wait while I assisted the customer. He then bolted off with the £600 iPhone 12.

“Luckily I did catch the entire encounter on CCTV.”

He was caught on CCTV stealing the phone (Farukh Shabaz/Facebook)

Despite catching CCTV footage of the man ,and other shop owners claiming to recognise him from encounters in other stores, the thief is still at large.

Farukh has tried to help by giving police further information he has received about the thief.

He said: “This has happened a few times now but the police haven't found much. It doesn't seem to be high on their list of priorities.

“After stealing the phone the thief tried selling it with his own name and pictures attached to the post.

“This gave me a name to give to the police and a way of contacting the guy but still nothing. I have now given the address of the thief to the police but I’ve had no update.”

The all in one phone selling, repair and accessory shop has been victim to these thefts before without much luck on finding the individuals who are to blame.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers are carrying out enquiries after a mobile phone was stolen from a shop in Elm Row, Edinburgh on Thursday, 5 May, 2022.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 3448 of 5 May."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.