I watched live as ‘Grealish robbers’ ransacked my home – they broke in 90 seconds, says Danielle Lloyd
MODEL and TV star Danielle Lloyd watched in horror live on her phone as masked intruders, feared to be the same gang that targeted Jack Grealish, raided her home.
Danielle, 40, was at a party with husband Michael O’Neill and her five children when she received security alerts on her mobile.
Danielle said: “It was terrifying. We were all angry and in absolute shock. It was definitely a targeted raid, they knew what they were looking for.”
The terrified family watched on a live-stream as three balaclava-wearing thugs smashed through a back door with a crowbar before stealing designer watches, handbags and jewellery.
Electrician Michael, 36, raced back to the £2million home but the gang had fled by the time he and police arrived after the break-in last October.
And now police have told former Miss England Danielle that the gang was likely to be the same one that broke into Manchester City star Grealish’s home last December while he was playing.
In an emotional interview, Danielle told The Sun on Sunday: “It was horrifying — and the worst thing I have ever seen.
“It was a Saturday night and we all went out to a Halloween party.
“We rarely go out so we think they targeted it for when we were out.
The house was for sale at the time, so they could have looked at Rightmove to study its layout, as well as Instagram.
“We took pictures of all of us dressing up and posted them on Instagram before we took a taxi to the party at a friend’s house ten or 15 minutes away.
“We had only just arrived when our phones went off.
“We have a professional security company, who contacted us plus we had a Ring doorbell at the back door they broke in through.
“It meant we watched it, as it happened, on the company’s app.
It was a Saturday night and we all went out to a Halloween party
Danielle Lloyd
“It took them 90 seconds to break in through a glass door at the back.
“They were then in the house for one minute and 26 seconds.
“They ignored things like iPads that were lying around and went straight up to our bedroom and went for a jewellery box and also took designer handbags.
“We think they knew how long they had before the police arrived so left really quickly.
“When he saw it Michael got in a friend’s car and drove back home.
“He was angry and upset and wanted to protect our home. I was on the phone to the police, and told them he was heading home.
“Thankfully, the gang had gone and the police got there before him.
“I dread to think what would have happened otherwise.”
Pictures from the night of the raid show Danielle at her Midlands home in a spooky clown outfit, Michael in a costume covered in fake blood and two of the children in Halloween costumes.
During the raid, revealed by The Sun on Sunday two weeks ago, the gang stole more than £100,000 of watches, bags and jewellery.
The haul included two designer timepieces, a Cartier bangle, Danielle’s diamond wedding ring and a bank card.
Police believe it was the same gang that carried out a £1million raid on Jack Grealish’s house while his girlfriend Sasha Attwood and other relatives were at home.
Model Danielle said: “My heart goes out to Jack Grealish and his family — what happened to them was awful. It is particularly bad that his family were at home.
“I know Jack and Sasha, and have messaged Sasha to send her and her family my best wishes.
“There is definitely a professional gang going about who are targeting footballers and other wealthy people.
They were then in the house for one minute and 26 seconds
Danielle Lloyd
“We had loads of work done on the house, including having a swimming pool built, and we have wondered if someone could have passed on information.
“The world has become really scary and it makes you wonder if it is worth having nice belongings as people just want to steal them.”
Danielle, Michael and children Archie, 13, Harry, 12, George, ten, Ronnie, six, and two-year-old Autumn have now moved to a new pad, also in the Midlands.
It is patrolled 24 hours a day and they have protection dogs.
Danielle said: “I could not sleep for weeks after it happened and it has been traumatic for the children.
“It particularly affected Ronnie, who struggled to sleep or be on his own for a while. I have had to tell him the bad guys have been caught to help him get over it.
“I hope that is the case soon. The police have been really good but they don’t seem to have many leads.
“We will be more private than ever now, and take care over what we post on social media.”
West Mids Police confirmed they attended a burglary on October 28.
Jack raid panic
By Emily Jane-Heap
JACK Grealish’s family had to hit panic buttons when a gang of burglars looted his £5.6million home last year.
Thieves made away with £1million worth of jewellery and watches from the home of the Man City winger, 28, right, while he was playing at Everton on December 27.
Grealish’s partner Sasha Attwood, his parents, gran, two sisters and brother had been at the Cheshire property at the time.
Police raced to the scene but the suspects were not found.
Newcastle United’s Joelinton’s Northumberland home was targeted in January.
West Ham’s Kurt Zouma and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling were also raided.