Wirral couple terrorised by armed jewellery raiders

Aug 16 2007 by Luke Traynor

A COUPLE were terrorised in their own home by a gang of robbers who escaped with a huge haul of designer jewellery.

The five-strong mob broke into the property in Wallasey and scoured the property for top-of-the range jewels, believed to total tens of thousands of pounds.

A massive amount of valuables were stockpiled by the gang during the late-night break-in on Tuesday evening.

They gained entry to the house by using a rock or brick to smash through a conservatory window and climbed inside.

They threatened the terrified couple with weapons including sticks and a knife, but they were left unharmed.

Cash, two 20 bore Berretta shotguns, and a Mercedes car, which was later found abandoned, was also stolen.

The stolen items were a Boodle Hug suite bracelet, Boodle Hug suite earrings, a boodle Hug suite necklet, Chopard Happy Diamond ear studs, a Chopard Happy Diamond pendant, a diamond set bar brooch, kite shaped pendant hoops, a ladies diamond Rolex watch, a ladies diamond Vacheron Constantin watch and a ruby and diamond necklet.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gibson said: "This is a very unusual offence in which distinctive jewellery and firearms were stolen.

"I am leading a team of officers committed to investigating this crime.

"Someone out there knows who is responsible and I would urge any person who is offered the property to contact us."

Detectives have conducted house-to-house enquiries in the area and uniform patrols have been increased.

Anyone with any information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call Upton CID on 0151 777 2438 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.