Police believe raiders who tied up and robbed a man in his house later used the victim's car in an armed hold-up at a jewellery shop.
The robbery happened in Surrenden Road, Brighton, on Monday afternoon last week.
The victim, a 56-year-old businessman, answered a call at his home and two men wearing crash helmets bundled him inside and tied his hands.
They forced him to lie on the floor while they searched his home and spent 15 minutes inside before leaving with credit cards, a TV and two antiques.
Police say the robbers stole the victim's keys and drove off in his blue Volvo SE 850 estate car, registration N763YHP.
The same car was found burnt out after the armed robbery on Wednesday.
Staff at Gold Arts in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, were threatened with a shotgun and a knife as raiders ransacked the shop for money and gems.
The pair, who wore dark clothing, fled to the Volvo and the vehicle was later found destroyed in Hartington Place, Eastbourne.
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