A GANG escaped with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery following a violent robbery at Stoodley & Sons in broad daylight last Friday.
Four men entered the High Street premises at around 4-10 pm and threatened and physically restrained one female member of staff. Another member of the gang forced the door leading into the jewellery window, from which they took a considerable amount of valuable items.
The two other robbers meanwhile, attacked a male member of staff as he tried to apprehend one of the gang, while the stock was being seized. He was punched in the face and fell to the ground, whereupon he was kicked by the men.
Although no weapons were seen, there was a suggestion by the men that they were carrying weapons.
The gang then made good their escape through the front door of the shop, and were last seen running in the direction of SainsburyÕs car park.
A detailed stocktake of the jewellers is still in progress, and so it has not yet been confirmed exactly what was taken, or its value. Early indications suggest that it could be somewhere in the region of £10,000 or more.
Shop proprietor Simon Stoodley said: ÒThis was obviously a planned raid. It was swift, effective, and the robbers escaped while the police were being summoned.
ÒThe staff were shocked by the entire experience, but no member of the staff sustained severe physical injuries.
ÒThe staff as always are my greatest concern and in this day and age of firearms, it is a proprietorÕs greatest fear in this industry, that a member of staff may be seriously injured.
ÒThe staff returned to work on Saturday morning to identify the amount of missing stock, and the doors reopened for business as usual on Saturday afternoon.Ó
Brief descriptions of the men have been released. One is described as a white male wearing shorts, another was of mixed race and the other two are said to be Middle Eastern or Asian in appearance.
The descriptions are limited due to the speed and shocking impact of the crime, but police are currently studying CCTV footage in an effort to produce a more detailed description of the men.
Police have indicated that the men may have been hanging around the town for a number of hours previous to the burglary. Witnesses have reported that a group of men matching the descriptions of the offenders were seen in the car park at SainsburyÕs around two hours earlier.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, or to anyone who may have seen the men before or after the robbery. Police are especially keen to hear from anyone who can identify the car that the men may have used.
Anyone who can help is urged to call Dc Ian Berry at Alton Police Station on 0845 045 45 45.
In a subsequent letter to The Herald Mr Stoodley wrote to thank all those who had expressed their concern and sympathy after the robbery.
ÒSympathy to those staff members subjected to such a brutal assault and concern that this type of crime has now spread to our own High Street here in Alton. For my part, I hold my staff members in the very highest possible esteem for the way in which they each have supported one another both during and after a very difficult episode.
ÒIn my experience, however, lightning does strike twice. I am certain that either my shop premises, or another of my fellow traders will be revisited, if not by the same gang members, by their acquaintances within the near future.
ÒOur local police freely acknowledge that these villains and their like, are finding it difficult to operate within larger towns and city centres which boast more sophisticated security devices. These same villains are turning their attentions to smaller rural towns including, so it would seem our own.
ÒMy understanding from my latest council tax and business rate demands is that the precept towards sustaining the Hampshire Policy Authority has been increased by almost 30 per cent! Are we, therefore, not entitled to the same degree of protection from this and other methods of crime that is now available and has been operational in other parts of the county for a number of years?
ÒIt would seem we are equally vulnerable but, through no fault of our own, not equally protected. To my knowledge, members of this gang had been spotted in Alton during Friday afternoon.
ÒWith the benefit of CCTV in operation throughout the town, the arrest of these individuals could have been more possible; the fact that each individual was in the town more certain; and, most importantly, my members of staff might not have had to endure this harrowing experience. It is, therefore, my hope that from this experience some good may yet come.Ó