CCTV captures moment women take dresses from Elmira Bridal Services in Strood
15:15, 19 May 2021
updated: 16:44, 19 May 2021
Brazen thieves snatched designer gowns worth thousands from a bridal shop – while the owner stood just feet away.
Two women were caught on CCTV casually selecting bridesmaid and prom dresses from the rails at Elmira Bridal Services in Strood.
The women were caught on camera
The footage also shows a man appearing to be acting as a lookout while another distracts manager Sarah Fuller by making an appointment for a fitting.
The audacious theft lasted just five minutes during which time the gang had made off with dresses worth nearly £9,000.
Mum-of-four Mrs Fuller was working alone in the Gun Lane shop on Saturday lunchtime when the raiders struck.
She said: "I knew something was wrong. I felt intimidated. While the man was talking to me quite close up, I could hear the women talking in a foreign language, going through the rails.
"They seemed to pick and choose and seemed to know what they were looking for. It makes me think they had been watching the shop for some time."
The 35-year-old Lower Stoke resident's business has been closed during lockdown but she has been working "flat out" since reopening last month.
She said: "There's been a huge demand for prom dresses as so many have been rearranged at the last minute."
The theft has left her disillusioned having worked to build up her business for six years. But she was overwhelmed with support.
She said: "The video we put on social media has had 50,000 views. It is very close-kit community around here."
Mrs Fuller returned to work today and pledged to put all her efforts into her business.
She added: "I'm just glad I wasn't hurt."
Police spokesman James Walker said: "We have received a report that dresses were stolen between 1.05pm and 1.15pm.
"At present no suspects have been identified and anyone with information can call police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/82423/21."
