KANGAR, MALAYSIA - Five men armed with axes took less than five minutes to rob a goldsmith shop in Persiaran Jubli Emas here yesterday.

Two of them smashed part of the glass display at the shop while the other three waited outside on three motorcycles.

A police source said about RM50,000 worth of jewellery was taken away during the 11.30am incident.

All five men wore crash helmets.

District police chief Superintendent Yusof Mohd Diah said there were two workers in the shop during the incident, but there were no customers.

"The suspects used axes to break the glass display before grabbing the jewellery. They did not grab much as they made a quick getaway."

Yusof said it was the first robbery in 50 years in the area.

The goldsmith shop has no security guard and no closed-circuit television system.

The case is being investigated under Section 397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery or with attempt to cause grievous hurt.