Federal, state and local law enforcement across five southern U.S. states are puzzled by a string of jewelry heists.
The crimes resemble a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde scenario, with a woman and man targeting high-end retail jewellers.
The most recent heist occurred on Monday at a Jared Vault in Mebane, North Carolina.
Security camera footage recorded a woman entering a store and forcing two employees into a back room at gunpoint, where she zip-tied their hands.
The woman, who is believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s, locked the store’s front door before filling a shopping bag with items from the display cabinets.
Authorities believe she is the same woman connected to five similar robberies that occurred last year in Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida and two in Georgia.
• Jared Vault in Sevierville, Tenn., on Oct. 16, 2015
• Jared Jewelry in Bluffton, S.C., on Sept. 2, 2015
• Reeds Jewelers in Panama City Beach, Fla., on Aug. 11, 2015
• Zales Jewelry in Dawsonville, Ga., on Aug. 5, 2015
• Jared Jewelry in Woodstock, Ga., on April 29, 2015.
The man, who is believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, has only been seen on surveillance video during robberies in Panama City, Fla., and Woodstock and Dawsonville, Ga.
The thieves appear to do their homework too.
“These are very well planned jewelry store robberies,” said Lawrence Borghini, a special agent with the FBI.
“They are not just walking into the jewelry stores. They have some knowledge about the industry,” added Borghini.
The suspects inspect the stores prior to robbing them.
Police say the woman spoke to an employee at the Panama City store before returning the following day to complete the theft.
The bandits wear gloves to hide fingerprints, target stores near interstates, and use different vehicles during each hold-up.
However, the burglars have not covered their faces during their crimes, which authorities hope will help identify the pair.
“The most challenging part of the case is the pictures are so clear and we have such good surveillance footage, that nobody has come forward with information to help identify these people,” said Borghini.
Law enforcement is asking for the public’s help in naming the thieves.
“With social media these days, somebody knows who these people are. They’re using services in the community, such as hotel rooms, restaurants, gas stations. They could be anywhere,” said Borghini.
Authorities have an idea of where the millions of dollars worth of stolen jewelry could be headed.
“I believe they are possibly bringing them to a larger city, such as New York, or some of the large cities where these theft rings operate from,” said Borghini.
The FBI considers both the man and woman armed and dangerous.
Comments