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Thieves in Bentley steal $20 million in gems from London store


Associated Press

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LONDON — Two thieves showed up at a London jeweler in a flashy car and made off with an even flashier haul, stealing about $20 million worth of diamonds and gems, the jeweler said Wednesday.

The well-dressed pair stepped out of a Bentley Continental Flying Spur — a car valued at about $250,000 — and into the west London branch of Graff jewelers.

Graff spokeswoman Fiona Spence provided information on the July 5 robbery after police this week released a closed circuit television image believed to be of the two men, British Broadcasting Corp.'s web site reported. One wore a dark blazer and a Panama hat while the other wore a cream suit.

Police appealed for help identifying the robbers and the vehicle in which they were driven to the store.

"It is not everyday that people use a Bentley to arrive at a premises they intend to rob," Detective Sergeant Sarah Staff said.

The suspects chatted with staff, pretending to be customers, before brandishing handguns and stealing diamonds and precious stone-studded rings, necklaces, pendants and earrings, officials said.

Spence said in an e-mail statement: "One of the items taken was a necklace weighing more than 155 carats which alone was worth more than 1 million pounds," or $2 million.