seized by passers-by after a smash-and-grab raid on Selfridges department store last night.
The men were pinned down by members of the public after their moped slipped over while turning a corner at speed in central London.
Witnesses said the suspects dropped a duffle bag containing several watches that spilled out onto the street.
Treatment: Police, medics and passers-by stand around a man who came off a moped on a street corner in central London who, along with another man, was apprehended by police shortly after a raid at Selfridges
Response: The men were pinned down by members of the public after their moped slipped over
The men, one wearing a burka and the other a motorbike helmet, were held down until armed police arrived soon afterwards and arrested them.
The suspects were seized about 400 yards from the world-famous Selfridges department store, a few minutes after cases were smashed on its ground floor at 8.30pm last night.
Passersby reported seeing two axes left discarded at the scene soon after the attack, which occurred half an hour before the Oxford Street store was due to close.
Nobody was hurt in the raid and the police quashed rumours that guns had been fired.
Matthew Carrozo, 28, saw the moped fall on the corner of Charlotte Street and Goodge Street.
He said: ‘It just came round the corner and slipped on a drain cover. The guy in the front was wearing a motorcycle helmet and the person on the back was wearing a burka.
Cordoned off: The men, one wearing a burka and the other a motorbike helmet, were held down until armed police arrived soon afterwards and arrested them
Broken glass: The scene of a smash and grab robbery in Selfridges on Oxford Street in central London
A twitter picture of two large yellow handled axes spotted near the shop after the incident
‘They dropped a duffle bag and six or seven watches fell out - there seemed to be at least 30 more inside.
Mr Carrozo, a digital marketing manager, added: ‘As soon as they hit the ground someone ran out of a restaurant and pinned them down - and then other people on the pavement joined him.
'They dropped a duffle bag and six or seven watches fell out - there seemed to be at least 30 more inside'
Matthew Carrozo, witness
‘The driver wriggled free and started running down Charlotte Street but he was caught and pinned down again. It was quite a struggle.’
Armed police arrived soon afterwards and cuffed the man in the motorcycle helmet before taking him away in a police van.
Paramedics treated the man in the burka for possible neck injuries before taking him away, accompanied by police.
Scotland Yard last night confirmed that two men were arrested after falling from a motorcycle.
Guns: Police officers at the scene of a smash and grab robbery in Selfridges on Oxford Street in central London
Unharmed: Nobody was hurt in the raid last night and the police quashed rumours that guns had been fired
A spokesman said: ‘The gang, armed with axes, smashed cabinets before making off with items from the shop. It is not currently known how many people were involved.
'The gang, armed with axes, smashed cabinets before making off with items from the shop'
Scotland Yard spokesman
‘Two of the suspects came off their moped in nearby Goodge Street. Members of the public then prevented them from leaving before officers arrived and arrested the men.
‘One of the men has been taken to hospital, we await an update on his condition. The second man is currently in custody.
'Detectives from Flying Squad are investigating. Armed officers attended. No shots were fired.’
Alex Jeffries, 25, was walking past Selfridges soon after the attack.
She said: ‘I looked through the door and could see smashed cases and two discarded axes. I think it was in the jewellery department.’
Onlookers: A crowd at the scene of a smash and grab robbery in Selfridges on Oxford Street in central London
Police on scene: Scotland Yard confirmed that two men were arrested after falling from a motorcycle
Some reports circulating on social media last night suggested up to 10 people were involved in the raid.
Onlookers also posted photographs of the scene on Twitter, with one picture showing tiny pieces of broken glass from show cabinets that were shattered all over the floor.
'I looked through the door and could see smashed cases and two discarded axes'
Alex Jeffries, witness
Police said only two were arrested, and added: ‘It is not currently known how many people were involved.’
Selfridges’ official Twitter account - which has the strapline ‘There’s always something extraordinary going on at Selfridges...’ - reassured customers last night.
The firm posted a message which said: ‘Hi, we just want to let you know that everyone is safe and the police are investigating. We will update you once we have more information.’
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We sent an ambulance crew and a single responder in a car to the scene.
'Our staff were redirected by police to Goodge Street. They treated a man - reported to be in his 20s - for leg and pelvic injuries. He was taken to hospital as a priority.
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