Crooks who fled Stoke pawnbroker to buy fake gold caught on CCTV

That’s when CCTV cameras caught two smartly dressed crooks making off with cash after conning a pawnbroker with a daring fake gold swap.

Paul Wood, who runs Church Street Gold Pottery and Furniture in Stoke, was left devastated after being tricked into buying fake gold bars by a man and woman who came into his shop last Thursday, June 20.

The couple, believed to be from Eastern Europe, said they wanted to sell 9 carat gold, which Paul handled and weighed before agreeing to pay them £1,765.

Surveillance footage shows how the man used sleight of hand to swap the bag of real gold for fake gold under the nose of an unsuspecting Paul. The pair then fled with the money.

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Paul said he dialled 999 and reported the matter to police but was shocked to learn it would be six weeks before an officer could attend. He has now criticised Staffordshire Police’s response and believes the audacious crooks could strike again elsewhere due to their inaction.

Police have confirmed they are now searching for the couple and have urged witnesses to get in touch. This is the eighth time the store has been targeted by thieves and burglars.

Paul Wood, owner of Church Street Gold Pottery and Furniture - Credit: SWNS — Paul Wood, owner of Church Street Gold Pottery and Furniture – Credit: SWNS

Paul, 58, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: “It was last Thursday and this man and woman came in saying they wanted to sell gold. They were Eastern European I think, well presented and well dressed and they seemed quite genuine.

“They handed me this gold which I weighed and checked as I usually do and we agreed a price of £1,765 after confirming it was 9 carat gold.

“He had the gold in a blue velvet bag and he kept trying to put it back in while I was trying to weigh it and I had to keep telling him ‘I don’t want your bag.’ And this back and forth kept going as he kept putting the gold back in the bag and he was just trying to trick me.

“They then said they had some more gold, but I looked at that too and thought it didn’t look right, so I said I wouldn’t buy it. Then they sort of swapped the bag of real gold for the tattoo bag, which he had tied up really tight.

“I knew something was wrong when he threw the bag behind the counter, but when he went to the front door, they wanted to look at something else in the window. They started a conversation and got me talking.

“Deep down I think they would have already made a run if they weren’t authentic, but I still have to go back and check that bag.

“But then they suddenly left. I ran to the bag and had to cut it open with a knife because he had it too tight. All this fake gold poured out of the bag, so I got him out of the store and down the street – but they were long gone. There must have been a car waiting for me.

“Looking back, I felt pretty stupid, because I’m usually very careful. But they were in the store for about 20 minutes and I didn’t take my eyes off him.

“I watched him and I don’t know how he managed to fool me. I don’t know how he did it. It was a very professional job.”

CCTV at Church Street Gold Pottery and Furniture - Credit: SWNS — CCTV at Church Street Gold Pottery and Furniture – Credit: SWNS

Paul, who has owned the store for 18 years, was then told by police that it would be six weeks before an officer could come or he could go to the police station in person.

He added: “I immediately dialled 999 but they told me to call 101, which took an hour to get through. I was then told I would have to wait six weeks for an officer to visit me or I could make an appointment to go to a police station.

“I thought time would be a key factor in catching them, so I was quite surprised by their response.

“I told the police I had them from every angle on crystal clear CCTV footage and they just told me to take it to a police station and they would take a statement.

“I think the police have given up, there are not enough police officers and I feel sorry for them because they are not getting help. But the criminals are getting away with it because the police are too busy and something has to be done.”

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “We are investigating following reports that counterfeit gold was being used in exchange for cash.

“A man and a woman entered Church Street Gold to exchange gold for cash. In the meantime, the suspects exchanged the gold for counterfeit coins and left the store.

“The man is described as being tall, with black hair shaved to the side, a black goatee and wearing a suit.

“The woman is also tall, wore a matching suit, had long straight black hair tied back and white sneakers with red heels.”

Any witnesses are asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 396 of June 20, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.