Shock moment masked robber brandishes circular saw in shopping centre

THIS is the moment a masked robber wields a running circular saw to scare off would-be heroes – as his gang mates ransack two jewellery shops in minutes.

Chilling footage shows masked thugs launch a brazen heist at a shopping centre causing shoppers to flee in panic.

The gang fled with luxury watches worth thousands of pounds during the armed robbery at the White Rose centre in Leeds, West Yorkshire, yesterday evening.

The five yobs targeted jewellery chain Beaverbrooks brandishing baseball bats, a circular saw and a sledgehammer.

A terrified member of staff had their hair pulled during the raid, police said, but was otherwise physically unharmed.

It is understood a Tag Heuer watch shop was also plundered by the gang.

Pictures show display cabinets smashed open and left empty.

Shoppers told of their panic on Facebook after watching the balaclava-clad crooks storm into the shopping precinct.

One said: “I can’t put it into words.

“Me and my daughter were in Boots sniffing perfume and I could hear the chainsaw but dismissed it as some workmen.

“Then my daughter said to me ‘mummy, why is everyone running?’

“At that point I knew we could be in trouble and I felt the colour drain from my whole body.

“The noise of the circular saw was so loud and the Boots staff were trying to shut the shutters to get people locked in.”

The woman added: “I made the decision to run away from the chainsaw noise.

“So  we ran out of Boots and turned left up the escalators.

“They were all on the right.

“I got in the car and drove us out quick but then had to park up cause I was shaking and couldn’t drive.”

Another shopper added: “The worst thing I’ve ever seen and the chills I felt when the guy with the saw was next to me and my little cousin, seeing parents grab their children and running.

“I have work in three hours and I’m too traumatised to even sleep right now.”

Police were today appealing for information over the robbery, which happened shortly after 8.40pm.

Detective Inspector John Graham, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This clearly planned and targeted robbery has taken place when the shopping centre was reasonably quiet, but I understand the huge concern that seeing these individuals armed with multiple weapons will have caused to those who were present.

“Thankfully, the staff member who was confronted by these robbers did not suffer any lasting injury, but this has been an extremely traumatic experience for them.

“Any use of weapons that causes people to fear violence is extremely serious.

“We have extensive enquiries ongoing to identify those responsible.

“I would urge anyone who has any information that could assist us in our ongoing investigation into this robbery to please make contact.”

Information can be passed to Leeds District CID via Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13240344913.

You can also pass on information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online.