Police are hunting an armed burglar who made off with more than £10million worth of jewellery during a dramatic heist on one of Britain’s most expensive streets.
The raider struck on Avenue Road, a leafy thoroughfare in the north London neighbourhood of Primrose Hill where the average house costs more than £15million.
After entering through a second-floor window, they stole £10.4million of custom gems including a Graff 10.73-carat diamond ring, two De Beers butterfly diamond rings, a Hermes 3.03-carat ring, aquamarine ring and Niloticus Lumiere necklace.
They also took other items of jewellery from luxury brands including Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels and Katherine Wang, alongside a further £150,000 worth of Hermes Crocodile Kelly handbags and £15,000 in cash.
The suspect is described as a white man in his late 20s to 30s, of medium build, who was wearing a dark hoodie, cargo pants and grey baseball cap.
He covered his face and carried a weapon during the break-in, which happened around 5pm on December 7 when no-one was at home.
The wealthy victims are now offering bumper rewards totalling £1.5million, including £500,000 for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect and 10 per cent of the value of any recovered items.
Police called the raid ‘brazen’ and described the stolen jewellery as having sentimental value.
The burglar entered through a second-floor window and made off with £10.4million worth of custom jewellery, including a Graff 10.73-carat diamond ring
A gold, diamond and sapphire necklace that was stolen by the burglar
A Van Cleef & Arpels pendant featuring gold, diamonds and sapphires
Detective Constable Paulo Roberts from the Central North Basic Command Unit, who is investigating the burglary, said: ‘This is a brazen offence, where the suspect has entered the property while armed with an unknown weapon and violated the sanctuary of the victims’ home.
‘The suspect has stolen £10.4m worth of jewellery, much of which is sentimental and unique in its design, and therefore easily identifiable.
‘We urge anyone who was in the area of Avenue Road, NW8, and saw anything suspicious to please come forward.
‘Also, if you have seen this jewellery since, someone has offered to sell you it, or you have any further information, then please also contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously.’
Last month, two robbers were found guilty of attacking a celebrity antiques dealer with hammers during a raid on his shop in Chelsea.
Robbers James Dixon, 42, and Thomas Loring, 41, launched the savage attack against Ian Towning – who is a regular face on Dickinson’s Real Deal and Posh Pawn.- and Mark Simmons, 60.
The horrific onslaught saw brutes Dixon and Loring charging into Mr Towning’s store before the celebrity dealer was struck over the head with a hammer.
In harrowing CCTV footage released today by the Met Police, a bloodied Mr Towning can be heard screaming in terror as he cowers on the floor while his store is ransacked, with the thugs making off with £200,000 of jewellery.
Images of the haul were released today by the Metropolitan Police, which is appealing for information
The burglar took a further £150,000 worth of Hermes Crocodile Kelly handbags
The wealthy victims are offering 10 per cent of the value of the stolen items if they are recovered
The raider struck yesterday on Avenue Road, a leafy thoroughfare in Primrose Hill where the average house costs more than £15million
‘Oh my God, oh my God,’ the celebrity antique dealer is heard yelling after falling to the ground having been hit over the head.
Dixon, of Pimlico, central London, and Loring, of Mottingham, south-east London, were convicted of a string of violent robberies and burglaries – along with the one at Mr Towning’s store – that they committed in and around London earlier this year.
Police said they face being jailed for their crimes across London and Kent – with Mr Towning branding the duo ‘vicious and evil’.
The Flying Squad officers who snared the offenders described Dixon as being like ‘a loaded gun walking around ready to go off at any time’.
Describing the devastating effect the raid has had on his life, Mr Towning said: ‘It’s really screwed me up.
‘I haven’t slept well since, and I’m just nervous all the time. And even in my own garden, I feel vulnerable.
‘I rarely dare walk down the street now, and if I do I don’t like anyone being behind me, and at a restaurant I sit with my back to the wall because I don’t trust anyone anymore.
‘My teeth, hips, my arms, shoulders and my head, they all hurt and sometimes when I go into my shop, I don’t like to be in there anymore, and that’s not good for business and Mark feels the same.’
Last month, two robbers were found guilty of attacking a celebrity antiques dealer with hammers during a raid on his shop in Chelsea
Blood is seen streaming down Ian Towning’s face in the aftermath of the violent attack
Shocking Ring doorbell footage of a recent burglary in Hampstead shows men forcing their way in with crowbars
London’s high-end neighbourhoods are regularly targeted by burglars, leading some wealthy residents to employ their own private security teams.
Shocking Ring doorbell footage of a recent burglary in Hampstead shows three men shoving a bolted door before making their way inside.
Despite the presence of a car in the drive indicating that the owners are home, the burglars produce two crowbars and force open the door before storming inside.
It is unclear how much the robbers stolen in the raid or if anyone was inside the home at the time.
Police ask anyone with information about the December 7 burglary on Avenue Road to
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.