Smash... and grab
Sledgehammer gang’s terrifying jewellery raid
SENDING shards of glass flying, a robber uses a sledgehammer to smash his way into display cases in a dramatic jewellery shop raid. CCTV footage shows another raider using a hammer in the smash and grab, while a third orders a member of staff to open the safe.
Then they stuff holdalls with several hundred thousand pounds worth of high-end gems in less than three minutes before fleeing the shop in Birmingham’s arcadian complex.
They sped off in a BMW X3 with false registration plates.
It was later found dumped after the gang tried and failed to set it alight and destroy forensic evidence.
police confirmed the SUV had been stolen three days earlier. The robbery at about 10.40am on august 23 was carefully planned and began with one of the men kicking open the shop door and placing a doorstop on the floor so it could not be locked behind them.
Detective Constable David Wilson, of West Midlands police, said: ‘ a substantial amount of high- end jewellery was taken from the store and someone will know who is responsible.
‘We’re interested in hearing from anybody who can offer information on other aspects of the robbery.’
The latest example of Wild West Britain comes as police in Northampton are warning families it is no longer safe to keep gold and jewellery in their homes. after several burglaries they are advising against using home safes and say valuables should be left with banks.