An armed robber who waved a claw hammer around in a terrifying raid at a jewellers in Manchester had his plans foiled after being confronted by the shop's brave owners, both aged in their 70s.
But weeks before, in January 2023, Daniel Smith, 38, from Old Trafford, had scoped out another store, Christopher Brown Jewellers in Stockport, for 'security weaknesses' before barging through the door and threatening staff with a weapon.
He propped the security door open with a brick in a bag before pressing a weapon against a terrified member of staff and demanding they handed over a unique, highly-valued necklace before stealing it from the scene. Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link A brazen Smith later appeared at Abelson's Jewellers in the St Ann's Arcade, Manchester city centre, in March of 2023, with intentions to steal similar items.
He waved a claw hammer as he tried to snatch an expensive bracelet from the owners, Malcolm Abelson, age 78 and Elise, age 71, but left empty handed by their fearless reactions when they bravely fought back.