Masked robber dubbed Night Watcher ‘broke into woman’s home, pistol-whipped her & stole £2m-worth of jewels’
A PROLIFIC robber dubbed the Night Watcher is suspected to have struck again — snatching jewels worth £2million after pistol-whipping his victim.
The thief has been linked to a string of terrifying raids on wealthy homeowners over the past 18 years, netting more than £10million.
Detectives are now probing whether he might be responsible for an attack on a woman in her home last month.
The victim was hit over the head with what appeared to be a handgun before the masked raider fled from the sprawling property with around 50 items of jewellery including diamond-encrusted earrings, a sapphire pendant and watches.
He broke into the large house, located on a private road in Sevenoaks, Kent, shortly before 4pm on June 21st.
Sources said one line of enquiry for police is whether the robber could be the Night Watcher — who has terrorised wealthy householders since 2006.
The latest attack may be his 18th target.
His violent crime spree is thought to have begun in 2006 but cops did not link raids until 2017.
He has struck in Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire and Sussex.
Officers think the Night Watcher may be a former soldier using his military training to carry out the raids and avoid detection.
He has been linked to four break-ins — three in Kent and one in London — since 2019 when police last released details about his crimes.
During the robbery in the capital in 2021 he attacked two women in their home, with both needing hospital treatment.
Always working alone, the robber selects isolated properties in affluent areas and then carries out night-time surveillance to analyse routines and security arrangements.
Wealthy victims include the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, who were attacked in their stately home, Goodwood House, in Westhampnett, West Sussex, in 2016.
The aristocrats were tied up and forced to hand over heirlooms valued at £700,000.
Cops have now identified several CCTV images of a man they want to talk to in connection with the most recent robbery.
On the morning of the raid, he travelled by train with a bicycle from Staplehurst to Sevenoaks railway stations.
After the robbery, he took trains between Hildenborough, Tonbridge and Marden and was later seen cycling in Staplehurst.
The suspect was wearing a face mask, cream coloured baseball cap and trainers with distinctive red soles. He sometimes wore a high-visibility top when cycling.
Det Insp Maxine Harris, who is leading the investigation for Kent Police, said: “The man we want to locate would have stood out as he was wearing a mask, was in possession of a bicycle and appeared overdressed on what was a warm day.
“I believe that despite his face being covered someone will know him and I am urging anyone who may have seen him or recognises him to call us immediately.
“Whilst it is possible the man has strong connections to the Staplehurst area, we are not discounting that he may live outside of Kent. He should not be approached.”