Watches taken in raid on East Renfrewshire jewellers

ARMED raiders threatened staff and snatched a haul of designer watches worth about £200,000 in a “brazen” daylight robbery at a jewellers over the weekend.

Three men burst into Eric N Smith Jewellers in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, at about 2pm on Saturday.

One of the three men threatened five shop workers with a large bladed weapon, while the other two smashed open glass display cases with hammers, filling a black holdall with Rolex watches.

They fled the shop on Ayr Road and got into a blue Peugeot vehicle, which was later found abandoned less than a mile away in Shawhill Crescent.

The men were last seen turning right into Eaglesham Road, before driving to Maple Avenue. They are believed to have swapped the car for a blue Mazda at some point.

Staff at the jewellers were not hurt during the terrifying ordeal. Police said the stolen watches were valued at approximately £200,000.

The first robber, who threatened staff with the bladed weapon, wore a grey hooded top with the hood up, black jogging bottoms and black shoes and gloves. His face was partially covered with a black scarf.

The second, who had a hammer, also wore a grey hooded top with the hood up, and a waist-length jacket over it. He had on a black skip hat, red gloves and white trainers.

The third man, also carrying a hammer, wore a waist-length hooded “blouson” type jacket with zips on the front and back, a black hooded top with the hood up, blue jeans, black shoes with a white sole and black gloves.

Detective Inspector Alan McAlpine, of Police Scotland’s Greater Glasgow CID, said: “This was a terrifying experience for the people working in the shop, and the actions of the three men involved can only be described as brazen.

“Eric N Smith jeweller’s is situated on a very busy road in Newton Mearns, with several shops nearby.

“On a Saturday afternoon, the area would have been busy with both motorists and pedestrians, and I would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity at the time of the incident to get in touch.

“As part of our extensive inquiries, we’ve traced several witnesses so far, and have been accessing CCTV.

“Our early inquiries show that the men had access to a blue Peugeot vehicle, which they used to flee from the scene. We also understand that this vehicle was abandoned in nearby Shawhill Crescent, and that the suspects then got into a blue Mazda vehicle.

“I’d like to trace anyone who saw this blue Peugeot being driven at speed away from Ayr Road, and I’d also like to appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Shawhill Crescent who may have seen a blue Mazda being driven erratically or at speed to get in touch with police urgently, as you may have information that could assist us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.