Manhunt on for two robbers of jewellery store in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district
Police say stolen diamond necklaces, bangle and rings worth about HK$5 million
A manhunt is on for two robbers who raided a jewellery shop in Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui on Wednesday evening, fleeing with six diamond pieces totalling about HK$5 million (US$637,000).
The pieces included two necklaces, two rings, a bangle and a diamond jewel.
At least one of the men was carrying a knife, eyewitnesses said, and both were wearing surgical masks and hats as they launched an attack on an outlet of Prince Jewellery and Watch on the third level of Ocean Centre, part of Harbour City shopping centre, at about 7.30pm.
Both ran into the shop – one prised open a glass display window, and the other threatened staff members with a knife and warned them in Cantonese not to move. The two then grabbed an array of jewellery before running towards another part of the shopping complex called The Gateway.
A staff member at the store branch told the Post the robbers took less than a minute to finish their job.
An eyewitness told local media she was planning to enter the shop but heard someone screaming from inside and about 20 people rushing out before the sound of breaking glass was heard. Two men rushed out soon after and ran down an escalator.
Police are investigating the heist.
Last year, six raids resulted in HK$70 million of stolen valuables, prompting two jewellery industry associations to issue security warnings and advice to their members.
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Senior inspector Chan Ka-ying from Yau Tsim district crime squad appealed to those who had witnessed the case to contact them.
She said police were looking into whether the suspects had scouted the location before the heist.
