DOWNTOWN — Four masked men smashed their way into a jewelry store at the Glendale Galleria early Friday and stole at least $150,000 in high priced jewelry and watches, police said.
The thieves entered the mall parking structure at about 5:20 a.m. Friday and smashed a glass door near Nordstrom to get into the mall, Glendale Police Sgt. Vahak Mardikian said.
Surveillance footage released shows a man shattering the front door of Classic Designs jewelry with a tool to enter with three other men.
The thieves wore gloves and carried sacks and tools, which they used to break glass displays and steal jewelry. After two minutes, the thieves, one by one, exited the jewelry store with the merchandise.
“They stole jewelry, Swiss Army watches and other high-priced items,” Mardikian said.
One of the thieves may have scanned the jewelry store before robbing it, he said.
The store was still trying to determine the exact dollar amount of the stolen jewelry, store President Peter Siow said.
The jewelry was insured, but the damage was already done, he said.
Siow, who opened the store in 1990, will have to replace the store’s front door, glass displays and damaged lights inside the displays, he said.
He added that he contacted jewelry suppliers Friday to tell them about the robbery.
“I have a good support system,” he said.
The store is Siow’s only source of income.
“It’s devastating,” he said. “Obviously, with the economy as bad as it is, it is difficult.”
Police are looking for the suspects and any details about the burglary or other similar burglaries, Mardikian said.
Anyone with information about Friday’s jewelry heist may call Mardikian or Det. Scott Byrne at (818) 548-2097.
