Bogus police tie up family in Mountain Ash robbery

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-13864703

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Detectives are hunting four men who posed as plain clothes police officers before tying up a family and stealing cash and silver ingots.

The robbery was at a property in Mountain Ash, Cynon Valley, at about 0730 BST on Monday, say South Wales Police.

Three members of the family were tied up during the 15-minute ordeal, after the men tricked their way in.

Nobody was injured but police said the family were left "extremely shaken".

Det Insp Phil Camm said: "This was a very rare, isolated incident which was pre-planned by somebody who we believe may well be from the local area.

"The whole family have been left extremely shaken by their ordeal, which lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

"We a have a team of officers investigating this incident which we are taking very seriously."

Silver ingots

The gang, described as smartly dressed, escaped by car with "a significant amount of cash and a number of distinct, valuable silver ingots".

"We would urge people to be vigilant.

"The ingots are traceable, so anyone who may have been offered them, especially metal dealers or jewellers, should use caution and let us know," added Det Insp Camm.

The gang used hand ties to restrain the family while they searched the property in Albany Street.

They escaped in a dark 5 series BMW along Albany Street, turning right into Arthur Street, then probably leaving the immediate area along Llanwonno Road.

<strong>Anyone with information about the incident, or who may have been in the area at the time and saw four males dressed in suits acting suspiciously, can contact Merthyr CID on 101 (if in Wales) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.</strong>