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Van was stolen for watch raid

Kathryn Ryan
24/ 4/2008

A VAN stolen from Prestwich was used by opportunistic thieves who grabbed a unique gold watch worth £91,000 during armed robberies in Manchester city centre last week.

The van was taken on Monday, April 14 from Mellor Street in Prestwich and police are appealing for information regarding its whereabouts from then until the robbery on Wednesday, April 16.

The company’s name has been sprayed over and false plates were used. The original plate was K331 AOJ, but for this incident, they were changed to X496 CJA.

After the armed robberies in Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, the van was left on Mirabel Street in Manchester city centre, where it was later found by police and removed for forensic examinations.

Detective Inspector Mark Roters, of Grey Mare Lane CID, said: "This van was originally stolen on Monday, two days before the robberies took place. We are trying to track the movements of the offenders in the days before the incident so if anyone has seen the van being used, please get in touch."

The police have also released an image of the gold watch nabbed by the thieves.

The gold Breitling watch, worth £91,000, is distinctive due to the large number of diamonds on the watch dial and strap, was the highest valued piece stolen and is the only one of its kind ever made.

DI Roters said: "The watch is just one of around 100 stolen, however this was the most expensive item stolen.

"As it is one of a kind, it won’t be easy for the offenders to sell on so we are hoping by releasing this image, it should be immediately recognised as stolen."

If anyone has seen the van used over the last couple of days on either registration plate or any information about the incident, please contact Grey Mare Lane CID on: 0161 856 3540 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.