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Robbers steal jewellery worth £900,000
A jeweller told today how two robbers disguised as road workers held him at knife-point and stole valuables worth more than £900,000.
John Haynes, 64, was opening his shop in the City of London when the pair burst in and sprayed a CS gas-like substance in his face.
One of the men then frog-marched him at knife-point to a safe and ordered him to empty several trays of jewellery into a rucksack.
Up to 150 items including necklaces, rings and bracelets were taken in the lightening raid on Wednesday at about 7.20am.
Among the pieces stolen were 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.
Detectives warned today that some of the jewellery may be passed on as expensive Valentine's Day presents and asked the public to be on their guard.
Speaking at his business in St Michael's Alley, off Cornhill, Mr Haynes said he has been left deeply shocked by his ordeal.
He said: "These guys rushed in through one of the doors into the shop, an opaque glass door, and knocked me over.
"In almost one movement the man was on top of me and trying to spray my face with a can of something like mace.
"He threatened me and wanted to know where the security equipment was and produced a knife. I was convinced I was going to get cut to make me follow his instructions.
"He forced me through to the safe room and opened the door of the safe. While he was there with his rucksack I tipped all of the jewellery out of the storage trays, boxes and all, into his bag.
"Before he could start rifling another safe the look-out upstairs made some signal to him and he barked at me in a southern Irish brogue to 'stay here.' He had a scarf over his mouth and all I was looking at
was a nose and eyebrows."
Several minutes later Mr Haynes, whose father founded the store in 1959, discovered the men had left the shop and pressed a panic alarm.
He added: "It was a violent attack and I have never had anything like
this before. It was very well planned."
Investigators have begun combing the City's street CCTV cameras for images of the suspects to try to trace their escape route.
At least one of the men was dressed in a bright yellow fluorescent trousers and jacket. The rucksack was black.
Detective Inspector Edelle Michaels, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This was a terrifying experience for the shop owner.
"I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area on Wednesday or in preceding days to get in touch.
"There is a chance that the robbers will try to sell these items. I'd ask anyone who is offered jewellery at knock down prices in the coming days to contact the police.
"As Valentine's Day approaches, it's worth remembering that jewellery stolen at knifepoint is not a romantic gift."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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