'Cheap jewellery' warning after Lm100,000 robbery

If you come across an expensive watch on the cheap, it might very well have come from a batch stolen from Diamonds International in Paceville last Thursday, police sources said.

Three robbers, who possibly had the assistance of another accomplice, stole designer watches and jewellery believed to be worth over Lm100,000.

The robbers, dressed up as security guards, tricked two salesgirls into re-opening the shop. As soon as they were inside, they covered their faces, brandished pistols and raided the shop. A third stayed at the door.

They then placed their haul in a bag and were gone within two minutes.

It is possible a fourth man was involved because a van that had been reported stolen earlier was abandoned in front of a district police car to obstruct it.

Police sources said there had never been a hold-up that targeted designer items. A number of people have been arrested and the police have made a degree of headway, but the investigation is still in its early stages. The men have since been released because the arrest period elapsed.

The getaway van, a Peugeot Partner, was found in Swieqi. It too had been reported stolen. This kind of van is a favourite among robbers - one was used in a recent hold-up on a cash van in Qormi.

It is not yet clear whether the theft was commissioned because the jewellery is difficult to sell at market prices. Most items were individually numbered and are easy to trace, the sources said.

Inspectors Joe Mercieca and Stephen Mallia are investigating.