A man has been charged in connection with burglary after around £232,000 worth of jewellery was stolen from a store in Times Square Shopping Centre.

Two male suspects in high-vis jackets, wielding a pick-axe and a crowbar, broke in through a fire exit shortly before 11.20pm on July 15, according to police.

A Met Police spokesman said they rushed towards the Ernest Jones Jewellers inside where they raided the shop for valuables.

After officers were called to an automated alarm at TK Maxx, another police unit rushed to the scene in Throwley Way where two men were spotted running away.

They were chased down Greyhound Road before they split up, with one of them fleeing towards Lind Road.

One of the suspects was found hiding in the corner of a garden and was arrested on suspicion of burglary after a police dog unit arrived on the scene.

The other, who ran off, was later identified through CCTV footage and arrested the next day (July 16).

Paul Mitchell, 37, of Orchard Avenue, was charged on suspicion of burglary and remanded to Croydon Magistrates’ Court on July 17.

He has since been bailed to attend trial on August 14 next month.

A second man has been released under investigation.