Silver Astra sightings could hold clue to Harrogate robbery
Harrogate police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery at Fattorini’s jewellery store in Parliament Street this morning (Tuesday 20 March 2012).
At around 10.30am, two men dressed in black and wearing masks or balaclavas got out of a silver Vauxhall Astra parked opposite the store.
They forced their way into the shop using a sledgehammer to force the door off its hinges. Once inside the shop, they threatened staff with the sledgehammer before stealing several items of high-value jewellery. No-one was harmed during the incident.
The two suspects were then driven away from the scene by a third man inside the Vauxhall Astra.
CCTV footage shows the Astra drive off along Parliament Street, Parliament Terrace, Montpellier Street and Montpellier Hill, before entering Valley Drive and being abandoned in Valley Road, Harrogate. The Astra has since been recovered by police.
During its escape along Parliament Street, the vehicle cut across the paths of several other cars and police are appealing for the drivers of these cars to come forward.
They are also urging anyone who was in Valley Road or Valley Drive this morning and saw the Astra arrive in the street, or saw any other suspicious vehicles in Valley Road to contact them urgently.
Detective Inspector Maria Taylor of Harrogate CID, said:
It is important that anyone who saw the silver Astra leave Parliament Street or arrive in Valley Drive or Valley Road contacts us, as they may have vital information which could help the investigation. Especially anyone who saw the occupants leave the car in Valley Road.
Witnesses to the robbery are urged to contact North Yorkshire Police if they have not yet already done so.
Anyone else with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Harrogate CID.
Alternatively, if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information on to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
