Victims of a recent £10m jewellery theft at a mansion in London have announced a reward fund totalling £1.5m in an effort to apprehend the thief and recover their stolen valuables.
The jewellery, taken from the residence on the prestigious Avenue Road, near Primrose Hill, is believed to include items belonging to Shafira Huang.
In addition to a £500,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the thief, the homeowners are offering 10% of the value of any jewellery recovered. This could amount to as much as £1.5m, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police.
A representative for the family spoke to the Metro, stating that the heist, which took place on 7 December, appeared to be a “pre-planned, professional operation.”
The spokesperson said, “Everyone is OK, but only by 63 seconds a member of staff would have been in direct confrontation with the robber had they entered the room slightly earlier.
“I can categorically say that all windows in the house were closed.”
The representative continued, describing the family as “absolutely lovely,” but noted that the incident had understandably been a shock, although time would help heal the impact.
Among the stolen items, valued at £10.4m, were distinctive pieces such as two De Beers butterfly diamond rings, pink sapphire butterfly-shaped earrings by Katherine Wang, and a Van Cleef necklace made of gold, diamonds, and sapphires.
In addition to the jewellery, £150,000 worth of designer handbags and £5,000 in cash were also taken.
The majority of the stolen items are one-of-a-kind and can easily be recognised, according to the Met Police.
The police believe the break-in occurred between 17:00 and 17:30 GMT, when the suspect, described as a white male in his late 20s to early 30s, entered the house via a second-floor window. He is said to have been wearing a dark hoodie, cargo pants, a grey baseball cap, and a face covering.
Avenue Road, where the crime took place, connects the Swiss Cottage and Regent’s Park areas and is home to some of London’s most exclusive properties.
Frances Ibiefo
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