Jewellery robbers caught on camera

FORCED ENTRY: The underground car park where five thieves forced their way in before stealing jewellery at Stockland Rockhampton.

Chris Ison

POLICE are hunting five people who carried out a well-executed jewellery heist at Stockland Rockhampton early yesterday morning.

Cloaked in dark jackets and some wearing masks, the thieves broke into the centre through the underground car park entrance near Sizzler on Moores Creek Road around 1am.

Security footage inside the centre shows the group forcing open the entrance doors in the car park and running up the travelator.

Police were not in a position yesterday to release the images to the media.

Emergency sirens were sounding as they split into two groups.

Two ran to Wallace Bishop Jewellers and the other three preyed on Amies The Family Jewellers.

They smashed a window on a display unit at one shop and forced their way through the store door at the other.

Inside they smashed two more display units and stole a “large amount of jewellery”.

Officers rushed to the scene when alarms sounded at 1am.

By the time police arrived the thieves had escaped.

Yesterday district duty officer Senior Sergeant Max Bennett wouldn't speculate on the value of jewellery stolen.

Officers today will analyse footage of the theft from the centre's security cameras.

Senior Sergeant Bennett said the crime appeared to be organised, adding that the offenders escaped quickly before police arrived.

Stockland centre management did not offer comment yesterday.

Anyone with information that could help police should call the Rockhampton station on 4932 3500 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Callers can remain anonymous.