A FIVE-figure sum of money was stolen from a man as he walked along the street in Buckhurst Hill yesterday, July 28.

The 58-year-old from Loughton was threatened by two knife-wielding men in balaclavas on Brook Road just after 9am.

They took the cash before driving to Gladstone Road in a stolen silver BMW X5 and setting fire to the inside of the car.

The pair and the driver of the car then ran off.

Dc Gary Staff of Essex Police said that the attack was targeted.

“Our enquiries have revealed that the BMW was stolen from west London during a burglary in June.

“At this stage, our main focus is on speaking to witnesses who saw the BMW being dumped and three men running away.

“We don't know whether they ran off to catch a tube or if they had a transfer vehicle.”

The three men are described as white, about 5ft 10ins tall and wearing dark clothes.

Witnesses should telephone Waltham Abbey police station on 0300 3334444.