Five men from Ilford, Barking, Walthamstow and Newham have been charged after an attempted robbery at a Chadwell Heath convenience shop on Thursday.
Police officers were lying in wait when a gang burst into Milap Mini Market, in High Road, shortly after 3.30pm.
They threatened the 55-year-old shop owner with a hand gun before stealing cash and other items.
But they returned to their getaway vehicle officers swooped and arrested the men and they have now been charged with attempted robbery and possession of a firearm.
Michael Carbon, 26, of Queens Terrace, Upton Park, David Sadiku, 41, of Copeland Road, Walthamstow, Paulius Strasunskas, 27, of Marston Road, Clayhall, Francis Carbon, 31, of Mersea House, Crows Road, Barking and Aamir Kayani, 31, of Elgin House, Whalebone Lane North, Chadwell Heath, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody.
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