Chief Constable Peter Fahy, who was appointed nine months ago, was patrolling with officers in Cheetham Hill when they were told about the raid at a jeweller's shop.
The thief walked into H Samuel at the Manchester Fort Retail Park and smashed a glass counter with a claw hammer before fleeing with three diamond rings worth several hundred pounds.
He fled on a bike shortly before Mr Fahy and his colleagues arrived at the scene.
Although the suspect escaped, officers were able to find CCTV footage of him from the nearby Game computer software shop.
Mr Fahy said: "When I arrived, the staff were understandably shaken by what happened. This man didn't directly threaten them but he smashed the glass case in front of them and snatched what he could.
"We managed to get some fairly clear CCTV footage of the suspect as he visited a nearby shop just before carrying out this robbery."
Police have now released the CCTV footage to the M.E.N in the hope that a member of the public will recognise the suspect.
Mr Fahy added: "I want people to take a close look and let us know if they recognise this man."
The suspect is white, in his late teens or early 20s, slim and about 5ft 8in. He wore a dark tracksuit and a balaclava. He was riding a BMX which he used to escape after the raid at 10am on June 15.
Mr Fahy said: "I feel it is important as a force that we get CCTV footage out to the public as soon as possible to give us the best chance to get offenders locked up.
"In cases like this, it is important that we publish any footage that we have while the incident is fresh in the public's mind."
Anyone with information can call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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Showing comments 1 to 24 and replies | View All
Barney Gumball LLB Hons (30/06/2009 at 08:32)
d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (30/06/2009 at 08:36)
Says it all. Also if the cctv is so good and has been released to MEN then where is it ? certainly not here as I type this.
Apathy is sweeping the but nobody ... oh ... "Wnatever"
john davis (30/06/2009 at 09:24)
MancLadUK, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 09:57)
I don't see apathy. I see you misinterpriting the article though, either deliberatey or through a lack of your understanding.
dessie, manchester (30/06/2009 at 10:04)
d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (30/06/2009 at 10:14)
The apathy remark is referring to....
Mr Fahy said: "I feel it is important as a force that we get CCTV footage out to the public as soon as possible to give us the best chance to get offenders locked up"
yet the MEN had not at the time of my comment put the video on the website.
you have clearly misinterpreted me, "either deliberatey or through a lack of your understanding."(sic)
Paul B (30/06/2009 at 10:19)
Mark,Radcliffe. (30/06/2009 at 10:24)
Tezza, Tyldesley (30/06/2009 at 11:12)
Pippa, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 11:36)
Of Denton, Tameside (30/06/2009 at 11:37)
meldroo, Oldham (30/06/2009 at 12:08)
umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (30/06/2009 at 12:52)
Gankaku69, Manchester and Proud of it (30/06/2009 at 13:21)
Secondly, a jewellery shop in a rough area with no CCTV, the lovely bosses brought it on themselves with no regard for their staff.
I also know that Mr Fahy has been out on patrol many times with officers, I have even seen him myself, and that is the sought of person I want in charge, someone who is actually in touch with what his staff have to put up with on a daily basis. Also why carn’t the MEN actually run some positive stories about the great work GMP do, like recent raids where nearly 2 million pounds worth of drugs were seized.
The Higher Openshaw Exile, MANCHESTER (30/06/2009 at 14:18)
That bit of fluff, under the sofa (30/06/2009 at 14:24)
Pity the CC just missed him.
Casablanca, ex-Bury Road Convent, Rochdale (30/06/2009 at 14:44)
Angie33 , Manchester (30/06/2009 at 14:53)
Casablanca, ex-Bury Road Convent, Rochdale (30/06/2009 at 14:54)
"Perhaps if they had pedalled harder they might have caught him."
Maynard Kitchener Lampwick Manchester , (30/06/2009 at 18:18)
MancLadUK, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 18:18)
When I stated that I saw you misinterpret the article I was referring to the part where you said
-- "Escaped on a BIKE from Manchesters Top Cop!"
which is clearly not the case.
Tony Colemans Barman, Manchester 19 lost in Oz (01/07/2009 at 06:52)
d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (01/07/2009 at 12:41)
Story says
"He fled on a bike shortly before Mr Fahy and his colleagues arrived at the scene."
Not much to misinterpet there - he did indeed escape shortly before Mr fahy arrived - and made his escape on a bike.
Am I typing too fast for you ?
MancLadUK, Manchester (01/07/2009 at 22:08)
I would suggest that my observation re your post is anything but grasping at straws and is a valid point. You initially stated that
-- "Escaped on a bike from Manchester's top cop"
which is of course not what happened and my comment was valid. In fact I'd say your last post was a good example of you back peddling when you realise I have a valid point.
As for you typing too fast, I'm not sure how on Earth you think your typing speed affects the display of text on here, but I'll leave you to figure that one out.