May 17, 2010 8.20 am This story is over 166 months old

Diamond robbers posed as police forensics

In disguise: Two men robbed James Usher & Son Jewellers while acting as police forensic on Saturday morning.

Two men posing as police forensics robbed a Lincoln-based jewellery store early Saturday morning, a Police report has confirmed. News of the robbery at the James Usher & Son Jewellers first appeared on Twitter, when updates from the Lincolnshire Echo reporter Leigh Curtis described the events.

Curtis’ Twitter updates briefed that two men dressed-up as policemen held up the Guildhall Street city-centre store while wielding hammers. Reports suggest that nobody was hurt in the planned attack, which took place just before 10am.

Lincolnshire Police clarified that the two men where acting as police forensic staff, donning white hooded boiler suits with dust masks covering their faces. Upon entering the store, the thieves threatened members of staff with hammers and went on to steal various items of diamond jewellery, targeting the most valuable goods.

After leaving the store with the valuables, the thieves fled in a green Vauxhall Astra, registration number P56 WCN. This vehicle, which was driven by a third accomplice, was later found abandoned and on fire near Lindum Terrace, said an eye-witness.

Upon leaving the Astra behind, it is believed that the three men ran through the Arboretum, and then onto Arboretum Avenue, were they drove away in a waiting white Transit-type van.

Lincolnshire Police are asking for any details from witnesses, in particular information regarding the whereabouts of the now-destroyed green Astra prior to the robbery, and any information in relation to the aforementioned white van. People can contact Detective Sergeant Paul Myers or Detective constable Di Squires of Lincoln CID on 0300 11 0300.

Sources: Twitter, Lincolnshire Police | Photo: Elizabeth Fish | Related reports: BBC, Lincolnshire Echo