VIDEO: Have-a-go-heroes tackle jewellery robber in Leeds

Armed robbers who targets a Leeds jewellers in a million pounds raid were tracked down after ‘have-a-go-heroes’ intervened and detained one of the gang.

The Estonian gang, who flew into the country just days before the raid, stole more than 150 watches worth more than £935,000 when they struck at Berry’s jewellers in Albion Street on 24 March earlier this year.

One of the gang, Alar Kajurand, disguised himself with a long dark wig and hat, before posing as a customer to get the shop’s security guard to open the door. He paused at the door allowing accomplice Taimar Uibopuu to follow him in and then produced a handgun and pointed it at the guard.

The third robber, Rainis Kilk, was let into the shop and he and Uibopuu began removing watches from the window display while Kajurand directed the terrified staff to the back of the shop at gunpoint.

After three minutes, the robbers left the shop and split up. Members of the public who were across the street from the store had become suspicious during the robbery and alerted the police before tackling Uibopuu themselves.

The bag he was carrying contained 64 watches worth nearly half a million pounds.

Research by detectives also showed Kilk’s DNA had been identified on a plastic drinks bottle recovered from the scene of a similar robbery at Watches of Switzerland, in Oxford Street, London, on February 25, where six Cartier watches worth more than £28,000 were stolen.

Following a trial at Leeds Crown Court the three men were convicted and sent to prison. Kajurand, aged 44, was jailed for 18 years; Kilk, aged 26, was sentenced to 18 years and Uibopuu, aged 30, was jailed for 15 years.

Detective Inspector Phil Jackson, of Leeds District CID, said: “This was a highly organised criminal gang who had travelled into the country solely to commit high value jewellery robberies.

“They put very detailed planning into the offences and did everything they could to avoid detection. What they hadn’t bargained on was the very courageous actions of the members of the public who intervened and detained one of the gang at the scene of the Leeds robbery and forced them to leave behind crucial evidence in London.

“While we never encourage members of the public to put themselves at risk, their actions proved absolutely vital in bringing these men to justice.