Tamara Ecclestone cops hunting three men after seizing CCTV of £50m jewel raid – as gems ‘gone forever’
TAMARA Ecclestone’s stolen £50m jewellery haul is likely “gone forever” as cops hunt the trio behind the heist. Every piece of jewellery in her £70million mansion is said to have been swiped in a 50-minute raid on Friday night – just hours after she left the country for her Christmas holidays. Her former F1 boss […]
TAMARA Ecclestone’s stolen £50m jewellery haul is likely “gone forever” as cops hunt the trio behind the heist.
Every piece of jewellery in her £70million mansion is said to have been swiped in a 50-minute raid on Friday night – just hours after she left the country for her Christmas holidays.
Her former F1 boss dad Bernie, 89, has claimed the raid at his daughter’s London home was an inside job.
And an expert in luxury jewellery and artwork recovery says the gems are almost certainly gone forever.
Christopher Marinello, a lawyer and CEO of Art Recovery International, said that there was “no way” Tamara “would ever hear from” her stolen jewels.
He said: “We have recovered over £400 million worth of stolen artwork, but very seldom jewellery.
“It tends to get broken up very quickly. Diamonds get removed, gold gets melted down.
“The thieves, if they’ve got any sense, will do anything they can do to cover their backs. They break it down to their raw materials.”
The Sun revealed how three raiders are believed to have broken into the 57-room mansion – having evaded both the 24-hour security teams that patrol the street known as “Billionaire Row” and Ecclestone’s own internal security operations.
They are thought to have broken in through the garden then headed to safes hidden in the bedroom.
I don’t have all the facts but given all the security at the house, I’m assuming it was an inside job
Bernie Ecclestone
They were eventually disturbed by a security guard before fleeing with items including precious rings, earrings and an £80,000 Cartier bangle wedding gift.
Tamara, her husband Jay and daughter Sophia had boarded a private jet for Lapland just hours earlier.
Speaking earlier today Mr Ecclestone, who is in London, said he believed it was an “inside job”.
He told the Sun Online: “I don’t have all the facts but given all the security at the house, I’m assuming it was an inside job. “The police should be able to work it out shouldn’t they?
“Tamara is fine, she’s not happy but thank god no one was in the house. No one was at home apart from security.
“It’s all a bit funny at the moment. These things happen and you’ve got to get on with things.”
Meanwhile Tamara posted a passage from the Bible on her Instagram today, saying: “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
She had also posted photos on Instagram of the family boarding a private jet on the way to their holiday.
Neighbours were shocked at Friday night’s break-in, which took place on one of the most prestigious streets in London with 24-hour security patrols and checkpoints.
Witnesses saw three police cars outside the home near Kensington Palace in West London at 11.30pm on Friday.
This is the most shocking burglary because it is one of the most secure houses in London on one of the most secure streets in London
Our neighbourhood source said last night: “This is the most shocking burglary because it is one of the most secure houses in London on one of the most secure streets in London.
“An estimated £50million worth of jewellery has been stolen from inside Tamara’s safe and Jay’s safe.
“Whoever did this was in the house for 50 minutes in total and had time to smash open the safes that are hidden in Tamara’s dressing room and Jay’s dressing room. Neither would be easy to find.
“Every single piece of jewellery that she had in her safe has gone and some of them had such personal meaning.”
There was a guard working in the mansion’s security room at the time of the robbery, according to the source.
They added: “The three raiders climbed over the back fence and went into the garden, before somehow gaining access to the house.
“They were disturbed by a security guard after being inside for 50 minutes and are said to have bundled out of an open window.”
Scotland Yard has not yet made any arrests. CCTV has been pulled from the property and is being reviewed.
Family a target of gem theft
By Stephen Moyes
THE Ecclestone family has previously been embroiled in gem raid dramas.
Tamara’s former brother- in-law James Stunt claimed he was the victim of a £90million burglary at his home in Belgravia, South West London.
Stunt who is now divorced from Petra Ecclestone, told cops in 2017 that jewellery, cash, gold and watches were swiped.
But police closed the investigation months later with no arrests made.
Back in November 2010, Tamara and Petra’s dad Bernie was mugged for his jewellery, worth £200,000, in front of his Brazilian girlfriend Fabiana Flosi.
Three men waited outside his home in Knightsbridge, central London, and kicked and punched him — leaving him with a horrific black eye.
A spokesman for businesswoman Tamara said: “I can sadly confirm that there has been a home invasion. Internal security are cooperating with police in this matter.
“Tamara and family are well but obviously angry and shaken by the incident.”
Tamara also has a daughter Sophia, five.
Their street, Kensington Palace Gardens, has been dubbed “Billionaire Row”, with the average house price at £33million.
Prince William and wife Kate live nearby, and homeowners include Foxtons’ founder Jon Hunt, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the Sultan of Brunei and China’s richest man, Wang Jianlin.
The road is permanently patrolled by Diplomatic Protection Group police officers operating out of gates and checkpoints.
Police today said a number of officers, including the dog unit, rushed to the mansion but the suspects had already left by the time they got there.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Pountney, from Central West Command Unit said: “A number of officers, including the dog unit, deployed to the residential property, in Palace Green, W8.
“However, the suspects had already left the scene when the call to police was made.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
“At this time we are investigating this as an isolated burglary and we are retaining an open mind around other lines of enquiry.
“Police were called by security within the building to three males being present inside the property and a fast-paced investigation is underway to locate the suspects and missing items.
“Burglary is a distressing crime and we are keeping the victim up to date with the investigation.”
