Masked robbers armed with MEAT CLEAVER steal £200,000 of watches in raid on jewellers shop[Video]

Smash and grab: Terrifying moment masked raiders armed with MEAT CLEAVER and knife steal £200,000 of luxury watches in daylight raid on jewellers

• Three masked men smashed their way into a jewellers in Beaconsfield, Bucks
• The trio waved a meat cleaver at terrified staff at Elite HNW Boutique yesterday 
• A hammer was used to break glass cabinets as they stole £200,000 of watches
• The store’s owner has vowed to remain open and praised the bravery of his staff  

By Stewart Carr For Mailonline

Published: 15:56 GMT, 9 March 2022 | Updated: 16:28 GMT, 9 March 2022

This is the moment three raiders armed with a meat cleaver, knife and baseball bat stormed into a jewellery shop and terrified staff before making off with £200,000 worth of designer watches. 

Shocking CCTV shows the gang smashing glass cabinets as they plundered high-end watches from Elite HNW Boutique in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, at 10.15am yesterday. 

The masked men leapt out of a grey Audi with the partial registration of GK15 as their driver waited for them, before using a metal hydrant cover to smash the lower panel of the shop door and force their way inside.

A second video filmed in the street outside shows the men scarpering back into their vehicle as it speeds off in front of stunned bystanders. 

The armed robbers left shattered glass after smashing their way through Elite HNW Boutique in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire 

A hammer a baseball bat were used to smash open glass cabinets and pillage the store of its valuables

A second clip filmed on the street outside shows the men fleeing into their grey Audi as it speeds off in front of stunned bystanders

The boutique’s owner Max Thorne, 54, was in the store with two other staff members and attempted to confront the thieves but was threatened with a blade just inches from his face.

Mr Thorne said: ‘They went straight for the cabinets and smashed the glass with a baseball bat and a hammer.

‘The third man made an attacking motion with a knife to staff at the back of the shop. There was a lot of screaming from him, he was shouting ‘get down’ and ‘get out’.

‘I went forward with a view to approach him but I was met with what looked like a machete pointed in my face and thought better of it. It was absolutely terrifying.

‘The staff were amazing. They stayed calm even though they were obviously very shaken afterwards.

‘We were very grateful to get away. Later when the police came, I’ll admit I’ve never seen so many armed response vehicles and helicopters.’

Luckily, no one was injured in the incident.

Officers later found the discarded jewellery at a nearby bus stop on the A40 a short time later.

The armed robbers left shattered glass after smashing their way through Elite HNW Boutique in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

A large police presence remained outside the store for the rest of the day as Thames Valley Police appeal for more information

Mr Thorne added: ‘We’ve had so many lovely messages from the community, even people saying they didn’t know our shop was here they want to support us.

‘We’ve lost a lot of stock but there’s more on its way. We won’t be defined by people like this and we will be increasing our security – we’re working with police on that.’ 

Detective Constable Mark Banham, based at Amersham police station, said: ‘We are appealing for witnesses at two places in relation to this incident.

‘Firstly, at the jewellery store and then also anyone that witnessed the offenders discarding the jewellery at the bus stop a short time later.

‘I am particularly keen to speak to anyone that has dash-cam footage from Burkes Road and was in the area between 10.15am and 10.30am today.

‘If you have any information please call 101 or make a report online quoting reference number 43220102266.

‘Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’ 

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