RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Richmond Police said officers arrived at Schwarzchild Jewelers in the Cary Court Shopping Center just 60 seconds after store workers hit the alert button, but it was too late -- the jewelry thieves were already gone.
Police continue to process surveillance video that captured the robbery inside Schwarzchild and multiple cameras around the shopping center that show the suspects running away.
The suspects were last seen on Belmont Ave. behind Cary Court. Police believe they drove off in a getaway car.
"They executed their plan and now we are going to take it from there," Richmond Police Major Michael Shamus said.
Shamus said since the suspects have not yet been identified, they do not know if the men are repeat offenders. He said police work closely with local jewelry stores to try and prevent these kinds of situations.
Other jewelers in Richmond have monitored the robbery closely.
"We've got cameras everywhere," Alex Slushing, who works at Studio K Jewelers, said. "We always have several people on the floor; we have people watching in other places."
Studio K was robbed several months ago, according to Slushing. Using images captured by their surveillance camera, the suspect was caught inside their store when he returned and attempted to sell other jewelry, she said.
"We'll talk to each other; we'll send pictures around so we can be on the lookout because, obviously, you worry their going to try something like that at another store," she said.
Richmond police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspects. Police described the suspects as:
- Suspect #1: black male, 6’2″, 250 pounds, mid-30′s, with dreadlocks in a pony tail, a tan tee-shirt, and carrying the hammer.
- Suspect #2: black male, 5’5″, 140-150 pounds, mid-20′s, wearing a black tee-shirt with blue and red squares, and carrying the stun gun.
- Suspect #3: black male, 5’8″, 140-150 pounds, late-20′s, wearing a red baseball cap.
- Suspect #4: black male, no further description.
Carytown was busy with shoppers the robbery. Investigators ask anyone who saw men fitting the descriptions, entering a vehicle or tossing items in the street around 2:50 p.m. to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.
Schwarzchild Jewelers released the following statement regarding the incident:
"On Saturday afternoon around 3:00 pm, our Schwarzschild’s Jewelers at Cary Court was victim of a smash and grab robbery. Our staffs are working closely with the authorities to help with the capture and apprehension of these suspects. We are most 'Thankful' that our staff only sustained minor injuries and they are handling this situation with the upmost professionalism. If and when we have more information, we will share it with you at the appropriate time." - Lane Schiffman with Schwarzchild Jewelers.
