It’s the biggest gem heist in British history, and it was all captured on cell phone video.
Searching for two thieves who stole $65 million in jewelry from a London shop.
Scotland Yard said two men walked into an exclusive jewelry store in London’s posh Mayfair district and walked out with $65 million in stolen jewels.
The robbery was so fast and so successful, some have likened it to a movie crossed with a military maneuver.
At 4:40 p.m. on Aug. 6, two robbers dressed in suits entered Graff Diamonds’ flagship store — which is known for its rich and famous clientele Two minutes later, they were out the door, carrying $65 million in jewelry, and with a blond hostage in tow.
They fired a gunshot to clear the street, and by the time the man recording the getaway on his cell phone looked up, they were gone, taking the jewels after releasing the hostage.
Police say the loot included 43 pieces of jewelry, comprising earrings, watches, rings and a necklace made of 272 diamonds.
The heist was so brazenpolice say the men arrived at the store in a London taxi and made an incredible getaway, changing cars three times over a distance measuring less than half a mile. They crashed once, handed a bag of jewels to an accomplice on a motorcycle and gave police the slip, despite being right in the center of London.
Police believe that a total of four men took part in the operation. The only thing they’ve recovered so far is one of the getaway cars.
Graff Diamonds Robbed Twice Before
Graff Diamonds has already been targeted twice before by thieves. In a 2003 robbery at the same store, police say a Kosovan Serb jewel thief, Nebojsa Denic, who belonged to the notorious Pink Panthers group of thieves, stole $37.8 million worth of jewels. Denic was arrested,convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail.
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Four years later, two robbers fled Graff’s Sloane Street store in central London, stealing $16.4 million in gems.
This latest heist has made it into the record books in Britain, and police are now hunting the four men believed to be responsible.
The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.
Jewel Thieves Exit Graff Diamonds, London
The biggest jewel heist in British history was captured on cell phone video, well the getaway that is.
Seems at 4.40 pm on August 6, two well dressed men walked into Graff Diamonds, an exclusive jewelry shop, in London’s Mayfair district and two minutes later walked out with $65 million in stolen gems and a blond hostage.
They fired a gunshot to clear the street, and by the time the man recording the getaway on his cell phone looked up, they were gone, taking the jewels after releasing the hostage.
The loot included 43 pieces of jewelry, comprising earrings, watches, rings and a necklace made of 272 diamonds, police say.
See long version footage at break, but still have to wonder why he was filming that store for so long? See them escape at 0.39 seconds. (more…)
Aug 12, 2009 | Categories: Cell Phone Camera | Tags: Jewel Heist, London, Robbed | Leave A Comment »
Rapper Brisco just wanted a haircut, but he came out of a Miami barbershop with a headache after a group of thugs pistol-whipped him and made off with cash, jewelry and his Range Rover during an afternoon robbery last week.
Brisco’s “Just Know That”
On July 29, four men entered the barbershop at 6301 NW 6 Ave. waving hand guns and demanding the rapper’s car keys. They fired their guns, though nobody was hurt, police said.
In surveillance video, the four men appear to be gunning for the gawdy rap star. Three of the gunmen go straight for Brisco, who is sitting in the barber’s chair getting a haircut. They force him to the floor, take off his chain and watch and dig in his pockets for whatever cash they can find.
“This robbery was off the chain,” said Miami Police Department spokesman Jeff Giordano. “Taking someone’s bling. They might as well have taken his heart.”
Brisco’s Range Rover was recovered a short time later, but the thieves made off with over $35,000 worth of jewelry. Police are still looking for the four robbers, described as black males between 18 and 25 years old.
Brisco, 24, whose MySpace page describes him as “The Opa Locka Goon,” has worked with Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. His debut album “Street Medicine” is scheduled for release this year. Many of Brisco’s lyrics promote violence and “jacking” others to survive in the street.
In a sad moment of poetic justice, it looks like these goons gave Brisco a taste of his own music promoting medicine.
Thug life can be hard, even when you’re a Miami rapper trying to get a haircut. Caught on security camera you see the self-conscious Rapper Brisco getting pistol whipped after a group of–possibly real–thugs gun whip him and made off with cash, jewelry and his Range Rover.
On July 29, four men entered the barbershop at 6301 NW 6 Ave., guns waving, demanding the Brisco’s car keys. They fired their guns, though nobody was hurt, police said.
As you see in the surveillance footage, the four men appear to be gunning for the rap star. Three of the men go straight for the rapper, who is sitting in the barber’s chair getting a buzz. They force him to the floor, take off his chain, watch and whatever might be found in his pockets, but sadly no haircut was offered.
Brisco’s Range Rover was recovered a short time later, but the thieves made off with over $35,000 worth of jewelry. Police are still looking for the four robbers, described as black males between 18 and 25 years old.
Brisco, 24, whose lyrics promote violence and “jacking” others to survive in the street felt the essence of his words…stop laughing, it’s not funny.
On another note, Miami Police department’s spokesman Jeffe Giordiano seems to be working on his rap vocaburaly: ”This robbery was off the chain,” said Miami Police Department spokesman Jeff Giordano. “Taking someone’s bling. They might as well have taken his heart.”
See news report.
Aug 07, 2009 | Categories: Security Camera | Tags: Celebrity, Miami, Robbed, Security Cameras | Leave A Comment »
