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Police hunt Faberge eggs thieves Police hunt Faberge eggs thieves
(20 minutes later)
Police are continuing their hunt for armed robbers who stole two rare Faberge eggs among a haul worth around £250,000 from a Cardiff jewellers.Police are continuing their hunt for armed robbers who stole two rare Faberge eggs among a haul worth around £250,000 from a Cardiff jewellers.
Thieves armed with sledgehammers smashed the windows of the St Mary Street Clive Ranger store on Tuesday before making off in a stolen car.Thieves armed with sledgehammers smashed the windows of the St Mary Street Clive Ranger store on Tuesday before making off in a stolen car.
Hours later the car was found burning in the Pontcanna area of the city.Hours later the car was found burning in the Pontcanna area of the city.
Officers said they had a number of witnesses but would like to hear from anyone else who saw the robbery.Officers said they had a number of witnesses but would like to hear from anyone else who saw the robbery.
Two men wearing balaclava masks pulled up outside the city centre store and grabbed the jewels from the front window at 1030 GMT on Tuesday.Two men wearing balaclava masks pulled up outside the city centre store and grabbed the jewels from the front window at 1030 GMT on Tuesday.
The masked raiders smashed the toughened-glass window with sledgehammers just after staff had put the items on display at the store on St Mary's Street.The masked raiders smashed the toughened-glass window with sledgehammers just after staff had put the items on display at the store on St Mary's Street.
The stolen eggs will be difficult to dispose of, says the manager The getaway car was later found burnt out not far away
Members of the public tried to stop them, but they dropped the sledgehammers on the pavement and sped off in a waiting stolen car.Members of the public tried to stop them, but they dropped the sledgehammers on the pavement and sped off in a waiting stolen car.
The most distinctive items taken in the robbery are two Faberge eggs - modern versions of the jewel-encrusted ornaments that were created for the Russian Tsars.The most distinctive items taken in the robbery are two Faberge eggs - modern versions of the jewel-encrusted ornaments that were created for the Russian Tsars.
One called a hen egg containing little chicks and rabbits, is worth £65,000. The robbers broke it off its base making it almost impossible to sell on.One called a hen egg containing little chicks and rabbits, is worth £65,000. The robbers broke it off its base making it almost impossible to sell on.
The second is a red Welsh egg made exclusively for Clive Ranger and is valued at £18,000.The second is a red Welsh egg made exclusively for Clive Ranger and is valued at £18,000.
Almighty bang
The thieves also took a Faberge watch and some diamond rings, bringing the total haul to around £250,000.The thieves also took a Faberge watch and some diamond rings, bringing the total haul to around £250,000.
Clive Ranger store manager Karl Parry said witnesses had seen one of the men carrying a firearm, and said staff at the jewellers were "shocked and shaken" by the raid. Store manager Karl Parry said witnesses had seen one of the men carrying a firearm, and said staff at the jewellers were "shocked and shaken" by the raid.
He said the jewellery was kept in a safe overnight and they had just finished putting it in the window displays when they heard an "almighty bang" on the window.He said the jewellery was kept in a safe overnight and they had just finished putting it in the window displays when they heard an "almighty bang" on the window.
Police immediately launched an appeal for witnesses, and issued details of a stolen VW car they were trying to trace - registration number CV07 PVL.Police immediately launched an appeal for witnesses, and issued details of a stolen VW car they were trying to trace - registration number CV07 PVL.
Management say the Faberge eggs will not be easily sold on
A car matching that description and registration plate was later discovered on fire at Plasturton Gardens in the Pontcanna area, not far from the city centre.A car matching that description and registration plate was later discovered on fire at Plasturton Gardens in the Pontcanna area, not far from the city centre.
Eyewitnesses said three police cars and two vans were quickly on the scene, and the park was cordoned off.
One Ceri George said there were a "series of explosions" as the tyres and windows of the car blew.
"At one point my neighbour's little girl was in the front room and a shard of metal flew straight through the window and smashed glass all over her, so I think we were really afraid," she said.