A couple residing in the affluent neighbourhood of Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, have been left profoundly shaken and terrified following a violent and meticulously planned home invasion by a masked gang. The harrowing incident, which occurred on December 4, saw five intruders armed with a sledgehammer and a pickaxe smash their way into the property, making off with a staggering haul of luxury goods valued at almost £1 million.
CCTV Captures Terrifying Ordeal
Closed-circuit television footage has captured the chilling moment the five robbers forced entry into the family home. Once inside, the male homeowner bravely attempted to confront the intruders but was brutally attacked with the sledgehammer for his efforts. He was then forcibly pinned to a sofa as the gang aggressively demanded information regarding the location of valuables and the means to access a secure safe within the property.
Violent Demands for Luxury Watches and Handbags
Under duress, the man was compelled to retrieve the keys and open the vault, which housed an extensive and valuable collection of luxury timepieces. The gang's systematic plunder did not stop there. Subsequently, the victim's wife was dragged upstairs by the intruders and coerced into revealing the storage location for the remainder of the couple's watch collection.
The stolen watch haul included prestigious brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Tissot. In addition to the timepieces, the thieves also seized a range of high-end designer handbags from iconic fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Jimmy Choo, and Chanel.
One of the most distinctive and identifiable items taken was an exclusive white Chanel ‘Boy’ handbag, a piece sold solely in Milan. Before fleeing the scene, the perpetrators also took mobile phones and a purse containing various bank cards, compounding the victims' losses.
Police Investigation and Nationwide Manhunt
Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed that the calculated raid has left the couple facing total losses approximating £1 million, a figure encompassing both the stolen luxury items and significant damage inflicted upon their property during the violent break-in.
Officers reported that subsequent CCTV analysis showed the offenders escaping into woodland located to the north of the property. Through detailed automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera enquiries, investigators have identified a grey hatchback vehicle utilizing false registration plates. This vehicle was spotted on the nearby A610, driving within the Nottingham area between 7.21pm and 7.49pm on the evening of the crime, Thursday, December 4.
Detective Constable James Gill stated: 'This was a vicious and frightening incident and it's very fortunate the victims did not sustain even more serious injuries. Following the burglary, the offenders were seen on CCTV to enter woodland to the north of the property.'
He added, 'We believe that, post-offence, the vehicle travelled out of Nottinghamshire and then went through Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire, before entering the West Midlands region.' This intelligence suggests a coordinated escape route spanning multiple counties.
Substantial Reward Offered for Information
In a significant development to aid the investigation, the charity Crimestoppers is now offering a reward of up to £7,500 for information that they receive exclusively which leads to the arrest and subsequent conviction of those responsible for this brutal crime. This substantial incentive underscores the severity of the offence and the determination of authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The community in Kimberley and the wider Nottinghamshire area remains on alert as police continue their extensive manhunt for the masked gang responsible for this terrifying high-value robbery.
