JACK Grealish’s family “feared they were being held hostage” by a gang of thugs who raided their home.
The Prem ace was in action for Man City against Everton in a league clash on Wednesday night when thieves snuck into his £5.6million mansion.
Around ten of the 28-year-old England star’s family had gathered round the TV to watch Grealish help City put Everton to the sword.
The Sun understands that some of Jack’s closest family were at his 24-acre Cheshire bolthole including fiancée Sasha Attwood, his parents, gran, two sisters and brother.
But when Jack’s dogs began barking frantically and his relatives heard noises upstairs, they instantly hit panic buttons to alert cops.
Despite extensive security and perimeter fencing around Jack’s lavish home, the crooks got in and fled with £1million of watches and jewellery.
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Cops responded to a call at 9.50pm before shaken residents saw five police patrol cars at 10pm.
A police helicopter scoured the area overhead with locals warned to stay indoors, before the gang were confirmed to have fled.
And Jack’s “terrified” loved ones were said to have been “fearing a hostage situation”.
A source exclusively told The Sun: “The family are really shaken. The gang took a lot of watches and jewellery.
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“Initially, they feared they could be facing a hostage situation or worse.”
The source added: “They executed their raid when Manchester City were playing live on TV and all of his family had gathered downstairs to cheer him on.
“No one was injured but there was a lot of panic – everyone was terrified as they were all so vulnerable.
“It’s an enormous property, so it is understandable why no-one heard anything at first. It was also the first time the family had visited, and so they were unfamiliar with the property.
“When the dogs went mad, and they could hear people creeping about, they pressed the security panic alarm.
“An emergency crack unit responded immediately, with multiple police cars and a chopper deployed.”
It is the latest raid to target multi million Premier League stars with West Ham skipper Kurt Zouma’s property in Essex targeted shortly before Christmas.
The raiders broke into his swanky £3million home and escaped with £100,000 in cash and jewellery.
Grealish and 27-year-old model and influencer Sasha bought the “exceptional modern” seven-bed mansion set in 24 acres last year but have only just moved in.
Their home boasts a helipad, boating and fishing lake, wine cellar, tennis court, golf tee and full-sized football and cricket pitches.
On Christmas Day Grealish and Sasha posed with their dog Skye and wrote on Instagram: “Merry Christmas everyone, beautiful day with the family.”
Jack also posted an image of a dinner table set for eight guests and a menu titled “Sasha and Jack Christmas Day 2023”.
In October The Sun told how Jack had won a planning battle to build a leisure suite at the mansion — complete with his own treatment room.
He enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family and has described sister Hollie, 20, as his best friend.
Confirming their investigation, Cheshire Police told The Sun: “At around 9.50pm on Wednesday December 27 police were called to reports of a burglary.
“The caller reported that a number of items had been stolen.
“Officers supported by police dogs and National Police Air Service were deployed and searches were conducted in the local area but there was no trace of the suspects.
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“No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk