A Midlands couple were subjected to a horrifying and violent home invasion where a gang armed with a sledgehammer and pickaxe made off with luxury goods worth close to a million pounds.
A Terrifying Ordeal in Kimberley
On December 4, 2025, five masked men forced their way into a property off Knowle Road in Kimberley. The intruders were armed and, according to authorities, were "prepared to use serious force to get what they wanted". When the male homeowner confronted them, he was viciously assaulted with a sledgehammer, being struck on the back and knee before being pinned to a sofa.
Under threat of further violence, the man was forced to open a safe. The gang then filled a sack with a large quantity of high-value luxury watches. Simultaneously, his wife was physically dragged upstairs and compelled to reveal the location of additional watches.
Stolen Luxury Items and Police Investigation
The haul from the raid was extensive. Among the stolen timepieces were:
- A Rolex "Platona" Daytona Cosmograph
- An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak QP perpetual calendar
- A matching pair of gents' and ladies' Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'London' edition watches
Additionally, many designer handbags from brands including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, and Dior were taken, along with a mobile phone and a purse containing bank cards. Nottinghamshire Police stated the total loss from stolen valuables and repair work was nearly £1 million.
Detective Constable James Gill of Nottinghamshire Police said: "This was a vicious and frightening incident and it’s very fortunate the victims did not sustain even more serious injuries. We remain determined to catch those responsible."
Manhunt and Reward for Information
CCTV footage captured the gang fleeing into woodland north of the property after the burglary. Police believe they were travelling in a grey hatchback on false plates, which travelled from Nottinghamshire through Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire before entering the West Midlands region.
In support of the investigation, the charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £7,500 for information it exclusively receives that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The reward is valid for three months.
Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers Regional Manager for the East Midlands, said: "This was a shocking and violent attack on a family in their own home... You can tell our charity what you know about who is involved without ever giving your name or speaking to the police. Your information could help stop further violence and bring justice to this family."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
