Horrifying footage has captured the moment masked thieves wielding an axe raided a Leeds shop in broad daylight in front of terrified shoppers.
Onlookers froze in fear as they saw thieves smash the windows of a Ramsdens jewellers in the busy Morley high street this morning (June 8), and stole hundreds of pounds worth of jewellery. West Yorkshire Police raced to the incident which took place shortly before midday and have confirmed two men have since been arrested.
The terrifying video, which has been shared on Facebook, showed the thieves armed with axes smash multiple holes into the window of the shop before getting into a black Mercedes 4x4 with bags full of stolen goods and speeding off from the scene. Witnesses were frozen in shock at what they had just unfurl.
Read more: Leeds police hunting mystery man in 'ongoing safeguarding investigation'
Residents and staff working in surrounding businesses recalled how they were left 'scared' and in shock' at Thursday's incident. One woman, who works in the hairdressers next door to Ramsdens said: "We saw it happen, it was scary."
Another couple added: "I was about to walk my dog through Morley then I saw that video on Facebook so I didn't. I heard all the sirens though. In the video you could see it was a lad with brown hair and brown eyes, it was a smash and grab. Ruthless."
One man said: "I didn't see anything just the video online, but they got the reg of the car."
Broken class remains at the scene in Morley this afternoon. A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "At 11.36am today (Thursday), police received a report of an ongoing burglary at business premises in Queen Street, Morley.
"On police attendance the suspects had left the scene. A black Mercedes 4x4 vehicle was found abandoned a short distance away with a silver Porsche 911, also believed to be involved in the offence, found abandoned after being involved in a collision on Whitehall Road, Leeds. Both are believed to be stolen vehicles and are being recovered.
"Two males have been arrested and are currently in custody."
Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the burglary or who has footage that will assist, is asked to contact Leeds District CID on 101, or by using the live chat on the West Yorkshire Police website, quoting log 600 of 8 June.
Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.
Read next:
