SMASH AND GRAB SHOCK
Hunt as armed robbers flee with watch haul
A major police investigation is under way after robbers escaped with thousands of pounds worth of watches in a raid at the Gleneagles Hotel. Three armed men with their faces covered walked into the Mappin and Webb jewellery outlet at the five-star golf and leisure resort around 11am on Tuesday this week and carried out the robbery in front of shocked staff and guests.
The criminal gang raced off in a blue Audi car driven by a fourth man. The Audi was recovered by police just outside Auchterarder.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Patrick has appealed for any information, including from anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in or around Auchterarder before and after the dramatic incident, to get in touch.
He said: “Hopefully we’ll bring people to justice for this soon.”
Police have not confirmed what
weapons were used in the robbery, with speculation surrounding knives and guns, as well as hammers which were reportedly used in the smash and grab to steal the high value watches.
DCI Patrick added that the focus of the criminals was for the expensive watches - a crime which he said was“thankfully rare”, but still shocking for witnesses.
He continued:“Our enquiries so far have established that the individuals involved were believed to be armed but thankfully nobody has been injured, although they are understandably shaken.
“Officers remain at the scene this afternoon to conduct enquiries, including forensic examination and we would like to reassure the public that this appears to be a targeted incident.”
DCI Patrick added that the men involved had “some sort of material” covering their faces. They were all wearing dark clothing at the time.
Police were scouring CCTV in the search for clues as part of a major response to the crime which was continuing well into Tuesday evening, with parts of the hotel’s main building remaining taped off.
A massive police response swooped on Gleneagles and nearby countryside in the moments after the crime.
A police helicopter was seen assisting officers around the A9 and at nearby Gleneagles Station, with specialist armed officers, search dogs and traffic and squad cars parked on main routes around Gleneagles and Auchterarder.
Police Scotland say that for operational reasons it is unable to detail how many officers responded.
Gleneagles Hotel staff and guests were evacuated from the premises shortly after the incident, with guests telling the Strathearn Herald of the initial concerns from people when the emergency response swung into place.
One woman said:“When it happened the staff were very calm and organised, the people kept locked in the area were visibly frightened, there were people with young children and they were worried about what was actually happening outside and if we were safe.”
She later told us:“I was then taken through a back exit back into the spa building. It’s all very calm here, no one knows about the incident outside.”
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna Cunningham was among those who responded to the news, saying:“I was extremely concerned to hear the news of a robbery at Gleneagles Hotel.
“This must have been a very worrying experience for staff and guests and I am relieved to learn that no one has been harmed in the incident.”