Express & Star

A robber dressed up as a woman in a burkha to trick his way into a Black Country jewellers where a gang snatched around £200,000 of gold.

The man, who is around 6ft 6ins tall, also had an empty pushchair and waved to the female shopkeeper to open the locked door of Friends Jewellers on Cape Hill, Smethwick.

He then held the door for four other raiders who stormed the shop armed with hammers, smashing through the display cabinets and swiping bags full of 24 carat gold jewellery.

Shop owner Raj Kumar said today: “My mum thought he looked too tall to be a woman but he had this pushchair with him.”

Once inside, the men smashed display cabinets and sprayed Mr Kumar, his brother Ash Kumar and their two security guards with pepper spray.

The robbery happened just after 1pm on Wednesday. The men made off on foot down Salisbury Street where there were two cars waiting. One is believed to be an Audi A4 or RS 4 model and the other a silver Mini.

The offenders are all believed to be Asian, dressed in dark clothing with their faces covered. Mr Kumar is now putting up a £5,000 reward for information which leads to a conviction. Call police on 0845 113 5000.