CCTV been released showing the moment two thieves stole a diamond ring worth an estimated £60,000 from a jewellers before attempting to evade police during a high-speed chase.
Shabir Patel, 39, and Khaqan Raja, 36, asked to look at high-value items at the shop in Eastbourne, East Sussex, before Raja is seen pretending to make a phone call and Patel snatches the 18-carat gold, platinum and diamond ring.
They then sprint out of the shop into a get-away car, fleeing the scene in Finmere Road around 1.50pm on 9 February this year.
However, an eyewitness spotted them swapping registration plates – providing a crucial piece of information for the police, who traced two vehicles in convoy travelling from Lancashire.
The men were seen driving a Jaguar at speeds of up to 120mph on the A24 towards Crawley in West Sussex before they were stopped north of the town on the M23.
A second vehicle, a VW Bora, was stopped by officers on the M25 travelling towards London.
Patel and Raja were arrested and charged following an investigation by Eastbourne CID.
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Both men, from Blackburn, Lancashire, admitted theft of a gold, platinum and diamond ring worth between £50,000 to £100,0000.
Raja also admitted a further charge of driving while disqualified.
He was jailed for two years and four months at Lewes Crown Court on 26 April, when Patel was handed a one-year prison sentence.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Ciara Richardson said: “[Raja] and Patel thought they could get away with stealing a high-value ring from Sussex.
“But thanks to information reported by the public and the fast response by officers, we were able to stop them.
“With the weight of evidence, they had no choice but to plead guilty.”
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Sussex and Surrey Police’s head of roads policing Superintendent Rachel Glenton added: “Our highly-trained officers from both forces showed exceptional skills and professionalism in this case.
“At one stage a vehicle was seen reaching speeds in excess of 120mph, which put the safety of other road users at high risk.
“But not only did officers manage to stop and arrest the two main offenders, they did so safely without any harm being caused to the offenders or to other members of the public.
“It demonstrates the excellence shown and highlights the teamwork of officers working together across both Surrey and Sussex Police.”
