| An armed duo targeted jewellers in Coulsdon and Purley threatening staff and shoppers with a sledgehammer in replica tag heruer watches dramatic raids on Saturday. Both men shouted abuse at staff as they tried to smash their way into Woods Jewellers, in Chipstead Valley Road. They ran off when they heard police sirens but then tried their luck at Walsh Jewellers, in Purley Road. A p.er-by spotted the pair trying to smash their way into the shop and called police. One of the men ran off but an off-duty police officer who happened to be p.ing by, detained a suspect until back-up arrived. It is not the first time Woods Jewellers has been targeted by thieves. Three replica breitling watches years ago the shop was raided by two members of the notorious Don't Say Nothing (DSN) gang - who were later jailed for the gunpoint robbery. Goldsmith Matt Dunn, whose parents own Wood Jewellers, was working at the time. He said: "We spotted two young guys outside the shop at about 5.15pm and thought they looked a bit dodgy because they had scarves over their faces. "The next thing we knew they were smashing at the door with a sledge hammer trying Thomas sabo charms to get in (through locked doors). "It was all over within minutes and it was a bit frightening because they were so determined to get in and were using such force but luckily the gl. is so thick we were safe." No one from Walsh Jewellers was available to comment. If you have information on either incident, contact Croydon Police on 0300 123 1212. ?Danny Templeman, 23, of Waddon New Road, Waddon, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with two counts of attempted burglary in relation to the raids. He was bailed to return on March 29. | |
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