Barely a couple of weeks into the new year and WatchCrime has more watch robbery to report, and once again it’s within the UK.
This time, two men have stolen £1 million worth of jewellery from ROX Jewellery store in Edinburgh during an armed shop raid in which they smashed glass display cabinets with an axe.
The incident happened at around 5:15pm in George Street.
Two women were working at the front of the shop when one of the men started smashing the display cabinets with an axe and the other produced what is believed to be a handgun.
The robbers put their haul of jewellery into rucksacks and donned crash helmets, one white, one red, before making off on what has become the smash and grab criminal’s transport of choice, a motorcycle, this time a stolen black Honda 650. The bike was later found abandoned in Northumberland Street, North West Lane, along with the axe. Both have been sent for forensic analysis, Lothian and Borders Police said.
Officers say they want to speak with anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area at the time. According to the Daily Record, one of the robbers had a local accent and the other is said to be English. Both wore dark tops and jogging bottoms. The man with the axe had a stripe on the sleeve and leg of his clothing.
Detective Chief Inspector Bobby Deas said:
“This was a terrifying ordeal for the shop staff to endure, although, thankfully, neither was injured as a result. An estimated £1 million-worth of jewellery was stolen during this incident and we are conducting various lines of inquiry to trace these items and identify those responsible for their theft. The motorcycle which was used during the suspects’ getaway is believed to have made a lot of noise as it sped off and members of the public who were nearby would have heard it.We would now urge anyone who remembers seeing or hearing the bike, or who recognises the description of the riders, to contact police immediately. Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist with our enquiries is also asked to come forward.”
The million pound haul includes diamond necklaces and engagement rings worth upwards of £100,000 each and luxury watches from brands including Hublot and Corum. A Girard-Perregaux Opera 2 timepiece worth £500,000 however was not stolen as it has not been in the store since Christmas. We featured the GP Opera 3 watch as part of our YPCAI (You Probably Can’t Afford It) series in November last year.
The store closed yesterday but will be back in business today. The ROX store opened in October in the grade A-listed Assembly Rooms which were renovated and reopened last July.
