Police have issued CCTV images of men wanted in connection with the slight-of-hand theft of a luxury watch from a Wigan jewellers.
The men are known to officers as the 'gold tooth gang' due to the fact one of them has gold molars.
At about 1.15pm on Friday 17 September 2010, two Asian men entered Herbert Brown jewellers on Hope Street, Wigan.
They asked to see a £12,000 diamond-encrusted Rolex watch in the window display. They agreed to put down a £1,000 deposit but staff noticed some of the cash was in Euros, which they don't accept.
The thief apologised, asked to see the watch one more time and said he would arrange a full deposit in sterling.
However, while staff were distracted by another customer the offender slipped the watch into his pocket. Staff didn't realise he had taken the watch, handed him back the deposit and walked out of the shop with his accomplice.
Officers have now issued a CCTV image of one of the suspects and a photograph of a similar watch in a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward.
The first offender is described as Asian, in his late 30s/early 40s with a medium build and a beer belly. He was wearing a black leather jacket, a white T-shirt, light coloured jeans and had gold molars.
The second offender was also Asian, in his late 30s/early 40s, about 5ft 10in tall, also with a beer belly, short balding hair, a black beard, wearing a black shirt, dark trousers and an eastern European accent. He is described as having a 'deformed' middle finger on his right hand.
Men fitting the same descriptions are believed to have carried out a similar theft at a jewellers in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on Wednesday 8 September 2010. On this occasion they stole a bracelet worth £600.
| The two men above are wanted in connection with the theft of a Rolex watch |
Detective Constable Ian Corcoran, of Wigan CID, said: "These robbers used a slight-of-hand routine to sneak an extremely expensive watch out of the jewellers.
"It's an exclusive diamond-encrusted watch which will be extremely difficult for these criminals to sell on as it is so distinctive.
"The offenders are a distinctive pair, especially with the gold teeth, so we are confident someone will be able to tell us who they are and where we can find them."
Anyone with information is asked to call Wigan CID on 0161 856 7042 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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