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Raiders target diamond store in Britain’s biggest gem robbery
Robbers pulled off what is thought to be Britain’s biggest jewellery heist in a 40-million-pound (65-million-dollar) raid at a chic London shop, police said.
Robbers pulled off what is thought to be Britain’s biggest jewellery heist in a 40-million-pound (65-million-dollar) raid at a chic London shop, police said.
Two smartly dressed men armed with handguns walked in to Graff, on London’s upmarket New Bond Street last on Thursday and threatened staff before getting away with 43 rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches.
As they left, they dragged a female member of staff with them and fired a warning shot outside the shop, although no-one was injured and the assistant was left behind as they raced off.
Another shot was also fired soon after as the pair abandoned their BMW getaway car nearby and switched to a Mercedes-Benz, before switching to a third car later.
“These men are extremely dangerous and fired at least two shots in busy London streets as they made their getaway,” said Detective Chief Inspector Pam Mace of the Flying Squad, which investigates armed robberies.
“As far as the UK is concerned we do not know of a bigger (jewellery) raid,” she said.
“Someone knows who these men are -- they would undoubtedly have spoken about it beforehand or boasted about it afterwards.”
The pair, dressed in grey suits and white shirts and speaking with London accents, were probably helped by at least another two men acting as getaway drivers, reports said.
