Newly released CCTV footage shows how a masked burglar carried out a £10 million jewelry heist from a luxury mansion in St John’s Wood, London. The thief, described as moving “like a cat,” escaped with jewelry, designer handbags, and cash in one of the city’s most significant burglaries in recent years.
The stolen items belonged to Hong Kong socialite Shafira Huang, who was not home at the time of the December 7 incident. The Metropolitan Police and the family have offered rewards totaling up to £1.5 million for information leading to the thief’s capture or the recovery of the stolen goods.
The break-in began at around 5 p.m. GMT when the thief attempted to enter through a second-story window using what appeared to be a screwdriver or crowbar, leaving behind visible marks. After this failed, he climbed onto the roof and lowered himself into a large concrete gutter, entering the house via a bathroom window.
“The way he moved was extraordinary—like a cat,” said Csaba Virag, a spokesperson for Ms. Huang’s family.
The intruder avoided disturbing cosmetics on a bathroom sink and bypassed cash left in the room, suggesting he was targeting high-value items.
CCTV footage revealed the burglar navigating the five-story mansion, stuffing jewelry into a backpack. At one point, he came within seconds of crossing paths with a maid in the same hallway.
Mr. Virag noted the burglar initially appeared to plan an exit through a guest room window but was thwarted by safety locks. Instead, the thief left the house the same way he entered.
Among the stolen goods were Hermes Crocodile Kelly handbags, £15,000 in cash, and a trove of designer jewelry. The Metropolitan Police believe the thief, described as a white male in his late 20s to 30s, may have been armed.
“We urge anyone who was in the area of Avenue Road, NW8, and saw anything suspicious to contact us,” said Det. Con. Paulo Roberts of the Metropolitan Police.
A reward of £500,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. An additional reward, amounting to 10% of any recovered items’ value, could total up to £1.5 million.
Ms. Huang, a well-known socialite and prolific social media user, has since made her profiles private. The burglary occurred on Avenue Road, an affluent area known for its multi-million-pound properties.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the stolen items, or those approached with offers to buy them, to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
A bbc.com report
