Masked robbers stole a £450,000 watch and £1.1million in cryptocurrency after forcing their way into a car travelling from Oxford to London.
Five victims, two men and three women, were driving on the afternoon of November 4 when the raiders struck, Thames Valley Police said.
In a terrifying 30-minute kidnap and robbery, police said ‘a number of men’ wearing masks entered the vehicle while it was still in Oxford.
Once inside, they took the watch and the victims’ phones, before forcing one of them to transfer the cryptocurrency out of their account.
Around half an hour later, the robbers left the victims in the Five Mile Drive Area of Oxford – before the police were called.
Police have so far arrested four men across the country as part of their investigation and are appealing to the public for help.
Detective Sergeant Stuart McMaster said: ‘I am appealing to members of the public who may have seen anything suspicious or have footage of three vehicles in some specific locations in Oxford and Kidlington.
‘We want to hear from you if you saw or have footage of either a black BMW saloon car, a blue Hyundai Ioniq or a silver Mercedes Benz Vito in the area of Yarnton Road and Sandy Lane, between Kidlington and Yarnton, or in Five Mile Drive, Carey Close, Rotherfield Road and Kirk Close in Oxford between 1pm and 4pm on Tuesday November 4.
The victims were left in the Five Mile Drive (pictured) area of Oxford
‘Thames Valley Police has been conducting a thorough investigation into the offences.
‘This has included house-to-house, CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, digital, forensic, cryptocurrency and financial inquiries.
‘We have also conducted warrants in London and Birmingham along with arrests in Kent, arresting four men.
‘We are supporting the victims and keeping them updated during our complex investigation.’
Officers arrested a 21-year-old man from London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery, kidnap and other driving offences, and bailed him until January 14.
A 37-year-old man from London was also arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnap, and bailed until January 30.
A 23-year-old man from Kent was arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnap and was bailed until until February 7.
A man, 19, from Birmingham who was arrested on suspicion of robbery, kidnap and possession of articles for use in fraud was bailed until January 29.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or relevant footage to contact them, quoting investigation reference number 43250563760.
To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.