Detectives at the Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit have released images of a car, believed to be a Mitsubishi Verada wagon, which may aid in the ongoing investigation of a jewellery theft that occurred in South Yarra, Victoria on 14 July.
As previously reported by Jeweller, the incident involved two Hong Kong jewellery suppliers who were seated in their car following an appointment with a jewellery retailer. Two masked thieves smashed the vehicle windows and stole two backpacks containing white gold and diamond jewellery from the back seat.
The robbers made their getaway in a blue Ford sedan driven by a third offender; however, police believed a fourth perpetrator had followed the Ford from the scene of the attack in the wagon. The three offenders were later seen getting into the wagon in a neighbouring suburb, abandoning the Ford, which was later found by the authorities.
“Detectives also wish to speak to anyone who may have recently sold a blue Mitsubishi Verada 1999–2000 model on Gumtree or eBay,” a Victoria Police media statement advised.
In addition to visuals of the unidentified vehicle, police released images of a man who was seen making a phone call near the jewellery store just prior to the attack.
Although the media statement did not elaborate on the man’s suspected relationship to the crime beyond stating he “may be able to assist with [the] investigation”, it has been suggested he might have alerted the thieves to the suppliers’ exit from the store.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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