08/02/2010 - Thieves grab £900,000 in jewellery
A jeweller has been robbed of £900,000 worth of valuables, including a £19,000 aqua-marine diamond necklace.
A £17,000 platinum ring and a £18,000 18-carat white gold and diamond bracelet with heart-shaped links were also among items grabbed by the two robbers disguised as road workers. They burst into the shop and sprayed a CS gas-like substance in the face of 64-year-old jeweller, John Haynes.
Mr Haynes was frog-marched at knife-point to a safe at the store in the City of London and told to empty trays of jewellery into a rucksack. Up to 150 items including necklaces, rings and bracelets were taken in the raid.
Detectives warned that some of the jewellery may be passed on as expensive Valentine's Day presents and asked the public to be on their guard.
Mr Haynes said he was deeply shocked by the ordeal at the shop in St Michael's Alley, adding: "It was a violent attack and I have never had anything like this before. It was very well planned."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
Related links
|
