Multiple Massachusetts Jewelry Stores Burglarized In String Of Smash-And-Grab Robberies
BURLINGTON (CBS) – Police in Burlington, Medford and Everett are searching for a group of brazen thieves connected to a string of jewelry store robberies.
Surveillance cameras captured eight or nine masked thieves smashing through the window of a Burlington jewelry store early Sunday morning.
"They're in and out quick, wielding hammers. They all have masks, dressed to obscure their identity," said Burlington Police Lt. Michael McDade.
A similar robbery unfolded at Roland's Jewelers in Medford.
"They just figure they can just come in here and just smash and grab. Take as much as they can and fast as they can and get away with as much as they can," said owner Roland Racicot. "They were only in here about less than a minute and a half
It took less than a minute to clear out decades worth of inventory at this High Street jewelry store.
Police believe this group may be connected to robberies in Everett and southern New Hampshire.
"I don't know if it was well-planned. Hammer, smashing windows literally right on High Street in Medford at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning with traffic going by," said Racicot.
Early Thursday morning, an attempt was made on Golden Oldies Jewelry in Everett. Police said the vehicle fled and that seven suspects are wanted in connection with the incident.
Burlington Police are desperate to put an end to this crime spree.
"I think of a patrol officer out here by himself, just rolling across and having nine suspects, with some of them having hammers in their hand," McDad said.
Several police departments are sharing information and surveillance footage in hopes of narrowing in on the suspects.