A MAN from Gunnislake was sentenced last week in connection with the largest armed robbery Devon and Cornwall Police had ever seen.

An armed gang of men robbed approximately £1-million worth of jewellery from a jewellery shop in Truro in January and last week, seven men were jailed for a total of 64 years.

Agris Davidonis, aged 30 of Gunnislake, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his part in the robbery.

Four masked men entered Michael Spiers Jewellers in Truro, armed with an imitation hand gun, crowbars and a canister capable of dispelling a noxious substance, confirmed as pepper spray.

The court heard how the men had entered the store, threatened staff with an imitation gun and sprayed a member of the public and staff with pepper spray. The men stole high-end jewellery such as Rolex watches, diamonds and jewels to an estimated value of approximately £1-million and left the scene in getaway cars, resulting in a manhunt.

The gang, who were part of an international organised crime group, originating from Lithuania, had set their sights on the Cornish city assuming it to be a ‘soft target’.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Pete Found said: ‘This was a very dynamic and challenging investigation into what transpired to be an international organised criminal gang, who deliberately targeted Truro in what was a well-planned raid.

‘The weapons and violence used in the commission of the offence are obviously concerning, but I hope that the public are reassured that whilst in Devon and Cornwall these crimes are rare, if they should occur then we have the necessary skills and resources, with the support of law enforcement colleagues both across the country and internationally, to identify those involved and successfully bring them to justice.

‘This has been one of the largest armed robberies we have ever seen. The offenders took around £1-million worth of jewellery, which we are yet to locate.

‘The impact a robbery of this nature can have on a victim is huge and I hope that this sentence can bring about some sense that justice has been served.

‘I would like to add my thanks to members of the public who have supported the investigation and who continue to make Cornwall one of the safest places in the country in which to live.’