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6 Jewelry Bandits Sought

Surveillance image

This image from a surveillance camera shows a burglary at David Reynolds Coins & Jewelry in St. Petersburg.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Police are looking for six people in connection with a jewelry burglary ring, including Sunday's robbery of David Reynolds Coins & Jewelry, 4009 Central Ave.

The store was burglarized after 5 a.m., police said. The thieves stole more than $50,000 in watches, gold jewelry, silver bars and coins, police said. All of the thieves wore hoods or shirts wrapped around their faces.

Using bolt cutters, they cut through the metal roll-up door. They smashed the glass display with hammers. Damage to the store is estimated at $25,000.

Police said surveillance cameras show three cars were used in the robbery. Two of them were white, a BMW and possibly a Chrysler 300. The third car was black, but they could not determine the make or model.

Police think the burglary is similar to the criminal ring in Miami that robbed a Bond Diamonds & Bond Jewelers.

Police said it's a statewide burglary smash-and-grab pattern seen throughout the past year. The thieves, thought to be Miami-based, are black, mainly Bahamian or Haitian, who use luxury rental cars to commit the crimes.

They target jewelry stores, high-end electronics, plasma TVs, cell phone outlets, firearms, and computer equipment. The burglaries occur during early morning hours and involve forced entry by smashing through doors with hammers and axes. The thieves conceal their faces with hoods or T-shirts with long sleeves and often wear gloves or coverings on their hands.

Businesses are asked to ensure their video surveillance and alarm systems are functioning, ensure their exterior doors and windows are secure as possible, and consider taking extra measures to secure valuable items.

Anyone with information should call the St. Petersburg Police Department burglary unit at (727) 893-7254 or the tip line at (727) 892-5000.

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