Manhunt For Diamond Thieves

Published on 17/08/10

Police were on a manhunt Monday to catch jewel thieves who pulled off a smash and grab raid on luxury stores right next to the Bank of England.
The hooded gang of four broke into London's Royal Exchange, a heavily-protected shopping centre packed with luxury boutiques, before smashing open display cases at South African diamond jewellers De Beers and Swiss watchmakers Omega.
Police said the jewels stolen late Saturday had an estimated retail value of 380,000 pounds.
"The thieves broke through a padlocked gate then smashed the shop windows with sledgehammers, before taking diamond jewellery and watches from the window displays," a City of London Police spokesman said.
"No other stores were targeted and the gang left in the same red BMW they arrived in. The thieves wore hooded tops and balaclavas.
"The force is treating this incident very seriously."