Thieves used a forklift to lift 18 new Jaguar sports cars to steal their GBP8000-a-set (USD12,783) alloy wheels.

Police told the Birmingham Post & Mail the thieves caused GBP1 million (USD 1.6 million) in damage to the GBP50,000 (USD79,895) Jaguar XK8 cars by lifting them into the air with a forklift, removing the wheels and dropping them on the ground. The report said the cars were likely to be written off.

British Transport Police believe the unique wheels were stolen to order and could have been shipped abroad. The theft occurred at a holding depot used to store new cars before they were transported around the country and abroad.

Police said at least seven men were involved in the raid. A security guard was held at gunpoint and tied up, but managed to raise the alarm once the gang had fled.