Four men remain in police custody following a raid at a Handsworth jeweller.
The robbery took place at on the 1st February at 5.15 pm
Officers, including specialist dog handlers, flooded the area as the force’s helicopter scoured land nearSoho Road, just minutes after a man, dressed as a woman, forced a shop assistant to open the security door.
As the door opened, it is alleged that up to 10 masked men, all dressed in dark coloured clothing, burst into the store, smashed display cabinets and stole a significant amount of jewellery.
The group then fled the scene with two men running onto a nearby railway line. The pair, 17 and 22, were tracked by a police dog and arrested.
Two other men, aged 17 and 18, were arrested a short distance from the shop.
It is believed that the other six fled towardsThornhill Roadand work continues to trace the men.
Detective Sergeant Kay Thompson, from Force CID and who is leading the investigation, said: “This was an audacious crime which happened on a busy high street during rush hour.
“Although uninjured, the two members of staff have been left traumatised by the incident and I would ask that anyone who was in the area at the time of the raid contacts us as matter of urgency. We really need to catch those responsible.
“Perhaps someone saw a large group of men near the shop before the attack or witnessed a group of men running in the area shortly after.”
Forensic scene investigators examined the store and surrounding areas and recovered items which are currently undergoing further analysis.
All four men were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
The majority of the valuable gold jewellery has now been recovered.
