A robber armed with a kitchen knife became trapped inside a shop he tried to steal from thanks to quick thinking from a staff member.
Dressed all in black and with his face covered, Jordan Peebles arrived at a shop in Riley Square, Coventry, on 24 December 2025. He assaulted a member of staff and threatened them with the knife.
Peebles, 32, then began filling his bag with items from behind the shop’s counter. Meanwhile, the shop worker he assaulted, who had left the premises, closed the shutter and trapped the thief inside.
CCTV footage showed Peebles trying to force his way out, as he attempted to pull up the shutter, to no avail.
When police officers arrived at the scene, Peebles pleaded to be let out and was arrested as soon as he stepped out of the door.
Appearing at Warwick Crown Court last week, Peebles pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for four years and four months.
West Midlands Police paid tribute to the bravery and quick thinking of the worker.
Detective Sergeant Jay Aston from Coventry local CID, said: “This was a shocking knifepoint robbery which could have resulted in death or serious injury to the man Peebles assaulted.
“The man showed incredible bravery and quick thinking to defend himself, leave the shop and lower the shutters, trapping Peebles inside.
“I hope Peebles will have time to reflect on his actions and choices while in prison and am proud of the work of all the officers involved, including the Response officers who were at the scene within minutes to arrest him.”
West Midlands Police said it encourages anyone who witnesses shoplifting to report it to them, as this enables the force to build an accurate picture of who is committing these offences, where and when.
It added, call 101 or go online to report crime to us and always call 999 in an emergency.
