Masked men stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery during a robbery

Masked robbers assaulted a shop owner and stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery during a robbery in Middleton.

It happened about 4pm on Friday 11 April 2014 when three men armed with a crowbar and a machete approached a jewellers on Middleton Gardens.

They ran inside the shop, one of the offenders pinned the 50-year-old shop owner to the floor while the others ransacked the shop.

They stole a large amount of jewellery from the display cabinets and left.

They drove off in a grey Toyota Rav 4 which was fitted with false plates. The car was found abandoned a short time later on Woodhill Close in Middleton.

The first offender is described as a white man, aged in his 20s, of stocky build, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 9in tall. He was wearing black clothing including a black coat and balaclava.

The second is described as a man, aged in his 20s, of slim build, between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall and was clean shaven. He was wearing a maroon hooded top with the hood up, dark blue woollen hat, dark blue tracksuit bottoms with two lighter blue stripes down the legs.

The third is described as a white man, aged in his 20s, 5ft 9in tall, of medium build and was wearing a grey hooded top.

Detective Constable Daniel Daly from Rochdale division, said: “This was a nasty robbery which left the shop owner fearing for his life.

“These three men burst into his shop armed with a machete and a crowbar and pushed him to the floor while they ransacked his shop and stole thousands of pounds worth of his stock.

“I want to reassure the shop owner and the communities of Middleton that we will do everything we can to find these men and bring them to justice.

“If you have any information about the robbery or you saw these man driving their getaway car or saw them abandon it on Woodhill Close, please call us ASAP.”

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 8701 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.