Jeweller feared for his life in store raid
A jeweller feared for his life when a masked gang with an axe, samurai sword and hammer burst into his store.
Shrikant Naran was working inside the shop when the three men barged in.
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Rajendra and Shrikant Naran
He ran to a back room to set off the alarm as one of the men leapt over the counter with a weapon in his hand.
The robbers smashed display cases and snatched jewellery in the raid at 6pm on Wednesday at G Naran Jewellers, in Melton Road, Belgrave, Leicester.
Mr Naran said a fourth man had posed as a customer to make him unlock the door.
He said: "I realised then that something wasn't right.
"He was signalling to the others and three men with their faces covered rushed in.
"One jumped over a showcase and I thought he was going to attack me.
"I feared for my life. I turned and ran into the back room and closed the door.
"I pressed the alarm and called my brother, Rajendra, from downstairs.
"In the shop, they were smashing all the showcases and taking everything they could.
"My brother and I had a metal pole and rushed them, and they ran away."
The robbers got away with thousands of pounds of jewellery, fleeing in a getaway car.
Mr Naran said: "The jewellery was all insured, but you can't insure against the trauma you suffer and you don't know how long it will be with you."
The robbers left behind the sword, axe and hammer, which are now with the police.
Officers investigating the crime found the silver Audi getaway car, registration FAR1 11S, in nearby Martin Street. It is believed the robbers switched to a black BMW in Forest Road.
Detective Constable Vikki Cotterill said: "Melton Road is a very busy area.
"At this time, many people would have been travelling home from work."
The first raider is Asian, about 5ft 9in, and had stubble on his face. He wore dark grey tracksuit bottoms, dark trainers and a dark hooded jacket with "85" written in white on the back.
He also wore a striped woolly hat with tassels on.
Two of the other three had their faces covered with scarves, and the third wore a balaclava.
Police were unable to say if the robbery was connected to similar raids in Melton Road and Belgrave Road last year.
6 Comments
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by JAY G, LEICESTER
Friday, February 20 2009, 2:40PM
“I HATE THESE ROBBERS 2, WISH THEY WERE LOCKED UP, FEEL LIKE SMACKING THEM”
by AMIT CHANDARANA, LEICESTER
Friday, February 20 2009, 2:38PM
“THESES IDIOT ROBBERS”
by rakesh patel, leicester
Friday, February 20 2009, 2:37PM
“SCUMBAGS!! THESE ROBBERS ARE PURE SCUM”
by Ravi Sthankiya, leiceter
Friday, February 20 2009, 12:40PM
“I think in these uncertain times where one idiot can ruin ur life and destroy ur hopes and dreams, people really need to feel secure and protect themselves.
If u hurt the criminals, next minute u know ur the one off to jail. But i think there should be a law that should allow people to have TASERS with a licence and only to people with a full CRB check no violent offenders allowed, only after they have proved themselves and the convinction is spent and they are trouble-free, then only are they able to apply for a licence.
That way even if the biggest hardest thug came into ur house or business u could taser them, and then use plastic cuffs to tie thier hands and feet, and wait 4 the police to arrive.
DONT KILL THEM, BUT CHANGE THE LAWS SO SOCIETY CAN FIGHT BACK”
by r, leicester
Friday, February 20 2009, 12:32PM
“Dont u know the leicestershire police are out hunting motorists without seat belts.. do that for 25 years and we'll get to retire nicely”