A ram raid at a jewelry store in Surrey, England, has left the local community shocked and police appealing for information.
The incident occurred late Thursday evening, just before 10 p.m. local time, when thieves drove a silver Range Rover Evoque into the front of Fleur Jewellery in Walton-on-Thames. Witnesses reported hearing a "massive crash" as the vehicle shattered the shop's facade, leaving glass and debris scattered across the floor.
Newsweek has reached out to Fleur Jewellery for a comment regarding the incident.
Two hooded men were seen running into the store following the crash. According to Surrey Police, the pair grabbed valuables before fleeing the scene in a white getaway car driven by a third accomplice. Witnesses described the raid to Metro as a "professional job."
No staff or customers were present at the time of the theft.
Local resident Craig Williamson, who witnessed the heist, told Metro: "At first I thought it was an accident. But then two boys came running out with two holdalls. It was crazy it was madness. They were both wearing hooded jackets. They jumped in a white getaway car. One in the front one in the back. It was a professional job they were in and out in under two minutes. They drive off fast in the car."
Pictures from the scene revealed the shop's front to be completely smashed with shattered glass littering the sidewalk and interior. The Range Rover used in the raid was lodged in the store's entrance with its trunk open.
The partner of the jewelry store's owner confirmed to reporters on the scene that "everyone is fine," but that they needed time to clean up the damage.
Another witness told The Mirror: "Someone I know saw it happen. They got out, masked up, stole loads of items, and then a getaway car with no plates pulled up and drove off."
Though suspects have not yet been determined, authorities are in the process of identifying them based on CCTV footage. The Range Rover used in the crash was also inspected, according to police.
Ram raids are considered a relatively common crime in the U.K., with ATMs and small retail businesses frequently targetted. While precise figures are difficult to determine because of variations in police reporting across the country, there have been reports of an increase in such crimes in recent years, with younger offenders often involved.
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