Two angles: Arcadia police are seeking these two suspects, who smashed the front windows at Prince Jewelers, 411 E. Huntington Drive, and helped themselves to jewelry shortly after noon on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. (Courtesy, Arcadia PD)
INDUSTRY >> Detectives are asking the public’s help in tracking down two men they say stole about $10,000 worth of gold rings from a Jewelry shop inside the Puente Hills Mall shop on St. Patrick’s Day earlier this month.
The crime took place about 4:15 p.m. on march 17 at C & L Jewelry Repair, inside the Puente Hills Mall at 1600 Azusa Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Detective Anthony Peraita said.
One of the two suspect jimmied open the display case with some type of small tool, the detective said. The second suspect tried to keep the store owner distracted as the first suspect prepared to steal the 18 gold rings, some of which contained diamonds, which were valued at about $10,000.
“Suspect No. 1 asked the owner of he could so some cleaning of his personal jewelry,” Peraita said.
“And while (the owner was) doing so, the suspect proceeded to test the display case glass with a pry tool or a coin to see if it would lift up,” the detective said.
Meanwhile, a second suspect entered the store and tried to distract the store owner as the first suspect continued working to pry open the jewelry display case, Peraita said.
The accomplice eventually left the store, and the first suspect asks the owner to clean another piece of jewelry, Peraita said.
“While the owner was in the back of the store, he actually lifted the display case and stole an allotment of jewelry from the store. He then proceeded to put the stolen goods down the front of his pants and exited the store, into the interior of the mall,” he said.
Investigators described the first suspect as a black man between 25 and 30 years old, with black hair with two thick braids, wearing a black or brown button-up shirt and black or dark-colored jeans.
His accomplice was also a black man between 35 and 40, wearing a white T-shirt, a tan hat, tan short and black backpack.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Industry Station at 626-33-3322. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
*Surveillance video courtesy of the LASD.
WHITTIER >> A crew of burglars devastated a 40-year-old Whittier jewelry business when they made off more than $1 million worth of jewelry and precious metals during a “sophisticated” break-in at the Whittier Boulevard business over the weekend, authorities said.
The crime took place sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning at Whittier Jewelry Mart, 14414 Whittier Blvd., Whittier police Lt. Mike Przybyl said.
An exact tally of what was stolen was not available, however the stolen jewelry and precious metals were believed to be worth between $1 million and $3 million, the lieutenant said.
“Based on what was done, there were multiple people involved. It was a fairly sophisticated effort,” Przybyl said.
Owner Alberto Montes De Oca said Wednesday that he remained “numb” from the loss of his livelihood, but was grateful the heist took place when no one was present and that no one was hurt.
But he said he did not yet know how the family business could recover from the devastating loss of its entire inventory of valuables.
“Forty years of work, it just went down in one second,” Montes De Oca said.
“For me, it’s a terrible hit. And for my family,” he said. “It feels like a dream. It’s hard to comprehend.”
Police declined to discuss specifics of how the burglary occurred, citing an active investigation.
But officials confirmed that the crime showed signs of planning and seasoned burglars.
“The people who did it, they knew what they were doing,” Przybyl said.
Police received no alarm activation from the business, he said.
“They came in through the roof,” Montes De Oca said, adding that he suspected the burglary took place early Sunday morning.
The burglars cut their way into a fortified safe, as well as smashed open display cases to help themselves to valuables, he said.
The stores alarm system, phone line and electricity line were cut, Montes De Oca said.
“It looks to me like they were professionals,” he said.
Montes De Oca said he was yet to determine the exact value of the stolen property. “It’s in the millions,” he said.
The proprietor said the family business would remain closed as he contemplated how to move forward. The needed repairs to the business alone will be costly, let alone the loss of his entire inventory.
Among the stolen items were pieces of jewelry and other precious items customers had set aside on layaway, as well as some brought by customers for repairs.
The Whittier Jewelry Mart has been operating in Whittier for four decades, Montes De Oca said.
The store was located in Uptown Whittier for its first 20 years, until it was destroyed by the Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987. The business was relocated to Whittier Boulevard, where it has remained ever since.
Anyone with information can reach Whittier police at 562-567-9200. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.