Thief Steals £30,000 Jewellery Haul After Smashing Through Shop Door With Gravestone

A jewellery shop was ransacked after a thief smashed his way in using a gravestone - before making off with £30,000 of bracelets, rings and bangles.

Little Jems Jewellers, in Penzance, Cornwall, was raided in the early hours of Saturday morning - with the gravestone used as a battering ram to break the lock.

The ambitious theft was discovered later that morning by owner Jamie Wright - and police believe that it is the work of a seasoned jewel thief, after he appeared to be in total control during the heist.

In the footage, the man has a torch in his mouth as he coolly yanks open a cupboard full of valuables - before filling a bucket and leaving the shop less than 30 seconds later.

An Art Nouveau ruby necklace and a prized white gold cluster ring are thought to be among the stolen items.

Amber Orchard, owner Jamie’s daughter, said: ‘They managed to get through the shutter and used the granite headstone of somebody’s grave to get through the door.

‘They managed to get the lock off the door by ramming it with the headstone.’

‘They did set the alarms off immediately but unfortunately they were in and out within 30 seconds.’

Appealing for information, a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Enquiries are continuing and detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the burglary, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time, to get in touch.

‘Officers are also keen to speak to anyone who has been offered any of these items of jewellery for sale.

‘Anyone who recognises the stone cross or knows where it has come from is asked to get in touch.’