Crims target jewels again

Melinda Siegmeier | 3rd July 2009

SMASH AND GRAB: Northside Jewellers owner Alison Jones shows an empty display window yesterday after two burglars ransacked the store on Wednesday night stealing more than $50,000 worth of jewellery.

ALISON Jones woke to a midnight phone call yesterday to learn thieves had just robbed her North Rockhampton family owned jewellery store of more than $50,000.

She described the theft as a “smash and grab” style job, with thieves taking whatever they could including a number of large diamond rings.

Police said two burglars, who were wearing black hooded jackets, forced their way into Northside Plaza at 11.55pm on Wednesday before smashing through the window of Northside Jewellers, located inside the shopping centre.

The two men are still on the run and after fleeing the scene a nearby red Subura WRX was stolen.

Police yesterday said they were investigating whether this recent robbery was linked to the burglary of two jewellery stores at Stockland Rockhampton on June 8.

Acting regional crime co-ordinator Detective Inspector Darrin Shadlow said there had certainly been a trend of thieves targeting jewellery lately.

Ess-Jay Jewellers in Allenstown Plaza was robbed twice last year - on August 15 and August 28.

Acting Inspector Shadlow said Wednesday night's thieves fled the scene when an alarm sounded.

“The (the method) was a bit different in entry, but they were certainly targeting jewellery,” he said.

He said they also had to smash their way back out of the centre.

A few minutes later a red Suburu WRX, with Queensland registration number NMM85, was stolen from nearby Charles Street.

Late yesterday police returned the stolen car to its owner after locating it on Campbell Street and putting it under forensic investigations.

Ms Jones, the owner of Northside Jewellers, yesterday said she was very shocked about the break-in.

She said it was the first time the store had been involved in a robbery in the more than 30 years her family had owned it.

Ms Jones took over from her father four years ago.

She spent most of yesterday arranging for the smashed glass panels to be replaced and lodging insurance forms.

Acting Inspector Shadlow said police were not able to obtain video surveillance of the crime.

He urged anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around the shopping centre or had seen the stolen vehicle to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Read more...

Jewellery robbers caught on camera