Officers from Operation Attrition, the Met Police's response to moped enabled snatch offences, were mobilised in unmarked police cars with the support of the National Police Air Service helicopter.
As police gave chase, Sharuk Sheraji jumped off the vehicle in Haringey and was caught and found in possession of the phones. Zuriel Hutson continued on the vehicle, heading north and onto the North Circular, all the while followed by a National Police Air Support Air Service helicopter. He rode at speeds of up to 90mph, weaving in and out of traffic along the M11, and often against oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the carriageway.
Drivers were forced to swerve to avoid a head-on collision, but some minor incidents occurred as a result of Hutson’s riding, forcing police to close part of the M11 to prevent further danger to motorists. Before reaching this point, Hutson, 21, came off his moped while trying to squeeze between two cars on lanes two and three.
The impact knocked the shoes off his feet and he skidded along the motorway, narrowly missing the car behind. He got back up, restarted his moped and continued along the hard shoulder against oncoming traffic.
Police eventually deployed a "stinger" tyre deflation device, which safely slowed Hutson down and eventually stopped him on the slip road of the M11 to the M25.
Both men were charged, and on January 31, Hutson, from Islington, pleaded guilty of conspiracy to steal, dangerous driving, breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order at Wood Green Crown Court.
Sheraji, from Hoxton Street, appeared at the same court on February 9 and admitted conspiracy to steal and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
