A 20-STRONG mob stole seventy cars from a garage – after taking seven people hostage.

The Asian gang, armed with wheelbraces and screwdrivers, swooped as staff locked up.

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They held four staff and three visitors in offices, then spent ten hours driving second-hand cars away from Auto King in Rainham, Essex.

The visitors – three Chinese men – escaped about 3am. Staff walked free when the gang fled an hour later with the owner, who was dumped 15 miles away.

Police believe the £500,000 raid is the largest car theft in Britain.

Almost all the vehicles – imported from Japan – were found in Wembley, North West London, two days after the April 8 raid. Police only released details yesterday and appealed for the Chinese men to come forward.

Last night two men were assisting inquiries.

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