Robbers make off with gems worth over RM1mil

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Counting losses: Employees going through the shop’s merchandise while forensics personnel gather evidence.

KUALA LUMPUR: Robbers hit a jewellery shop in Plaza OUG while the shopping complex was crowded with customers during a long lunch break.

The heist, believed to involve over RM1mil worth of jewellery, saw customers running helter-skelter to hide as the gang of robbers stormed into the shop.

During the 12.50 incident yesterday, four men wearing masks and helmets barged into the shop, armed with a hammer, a parang and what was thought to be a gun.

“The robbers managed to steal 21 trays of jewellery. We are still estimating the total amount lost,” said Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Shahrul Othman here.

The gang fled in a waiting car, thought to be a green Mercedes.

“The Forensics Department currently has nine swabs of blood from the scene as well as two glass shards with traces of blood.

“These will be sent for analysis,” said ACP Shahrul.

Five employees and an armed security guard were in the shop during the robbery.

It is learnt that the armed guard could not react in time before the gun-wielding robber aimed his weapon at the em­­ployees.

Sources said losses could reach over RM1mil, adding that the incident lasted only minutes.

“When I saw one of the robbers with a hammer, I quickly ran away. I was worried he had other weapons with him,” said a shopkeeper nearby, who only wished to be called Siti.

ACP Shahrul said the case was being investigated for armed robbery.