Cleveland Police Link Jewellery Shop Raids

14 January 2015, 10:09 | Updated: 14 January 2015, 17:45

Cleveland Police say they think an armed robbery at Market Cross jewellery store in Middlesbrough is linked to one in Yarm last year.

The latest robbery took place at the shop on Linthorpe Road at 4.26pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 13th January).

The offenders entered the jewellers with what are believed to be hand axes as weapons.

No one was hurt.

Officers have confirmed that they are linking the incident with another robbery which took place at Market Cross Jewellers on Yarm High Street on Monday 10th November.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector John Ward said:
"At 4.26pm yesterday a robbery took place at Market Cross Jewellers in Middlesbrough. There was an immediate police response with officers being despatched to the scene and a team of detectives are investigating the incident.

There are clearly similarities between this robbery and the one that took place in Yarm in November and numerous lines of enquiry are being pursued in both cases.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen, or have knowledge of, a silver Citroen C Crosser motorvehicle bearing the registration plates MK60 XCD.

We believe this vehicle was involved in the robbery and it was later discovered abandoned in the car park next to Leader timber merchants on Newport Road, Middlesbrough.

We would also appeal to local hoteliers and to those who run local Bed & Breakfast venues to alert us should they have had any guests who may have raised their suspicions over recent days and who may have spoken with a North-West accent."

A 24-year-old man from the Blakely area of Manchester was arrested on Thursday 8th January on suspicion of the robbery, in connection with the Yarm incident.

He has now been released on bail pending further enquiries.     

Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or anyone who may have information regarding it is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.