Four men wearing balaclavas robbed a jewellery shop armed with what was believed to be a double barrelled shotgun before making off with jewellery worth up to £80,000.
The group targeted Goldust, in Market Place, Hinckley, shortly before 11am on Friday, January 25.
Aiden Rudock (18), of Gloster Road, Lutterworth, Orrin Stevenson (24), of Trent Road, Hinckley, and Timothy Wardrop (22) and Grant Samuel (22), both of no fixed address, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today to admit to one count of robbery.
Stevenson also pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm. The weapon has not been recovered.
The masked men, who were dressed in dark clothing, entered the jewellers with the fake gun and threatened staff.
They made off with jewellery valued between £70,000 and £80,000.
They left the scene in a BMW X5, which later crashed close to Coton Lane in Market Bosworth.
Witnesses to the robbery had noted the numberplate of the car involved, and the crashed car was identified as the one used in the getaway.
The men left the scene of the crash on foot. However, armed officers from Leicestershire Police were sent to the scene, and Rudock and Samuel were arrested nearby.
Shortly afterwards, Stevenson and Wardrop were arrested at an address in Pipistrelle Drive, Market Bosworth.
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Detective constable Jack Thomas, the investigating officer, said after the hearing: "This was a planned and co-ordinated robbery in which the four men thought they could try and make a quick financial gain and make off without being caught.
"But, thanks to staff and members of the public who were nearby, as well as our armed officers, the men were arrested within an hour of committing their crime.
"They have at least now admitted what they've done rather than choose to go to trial and are likely to receive significant custodial sentences."
The men are due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court next month.
