IT is the kind of audacious theft you might expect to see in a Hollywood crime thriller.
Daring thieves forced their way through the first floor window of a busy pub and escaped with a bulky safe and its contents.
The gang used a ladder to reach the window and then threw the metal safe, containing £1,500 to the ground below.
Staff and customers at the Swan Inn, Main Road, Higher Kinnerton, were unaware of the theft until a member of staff went upstairs.
Gerard Oliver, proprietor of the Swan, described the raid as “unbelievable”.
“We had a full restaurant and, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, they climbed up the ladder and ripped the safe out.
“It was bolted to the floor, an old safe and very heavy. It landed outside, metres from where people were eating.
“It must have landed with a lot of force because there is a massive indent where it landed.
“They must have seen the window which was only open a few inches on the latch.
They forced their way in.
“They took a huge risk because there are usually people smoking outside or driving along the road.”
An inherited gold watch and cufflinks belonging to a member of staff, were also taken in the raid.
The ladder was propped up alongside the building and the gang made off in a vehicle parked outside.
Mr Oliver, who took over the pub in February, said: “Nobody noticed anything.
“I sent a member of staff upstairs to print some menus but he missed them by minutes.
“I dread to think what would have happened if I sent him up earlier and he had encountered them.”
Mr Oliver said the thieves searched the whole top floor but targeted the 150kg safe, which is about 70cm high, 50cm wide and 50cm deep.
He added: “I have been in the trade for 13 years and I have never known thieves take such a big risk.
“It is a shock to the system. It is the feeling of your privacy being invaded.”
North Wales Police confirmed they had been called to the pub after reports of the theft of a safe.
Mr Oliver, who previously ran the George and Dragon in Tarvin, said: “We have been very successful in turning the pub around and improving the restaurant trade. It is upsetting some people do not respect that.
“We would really like to thank all the customers who have supported us.”
North Wales Police have asked anyone with information about the theft, which took place on November 12, to call 101.