Police: Armed Men Pose As FBI Agents To Rob Ramsey Jewelry Store
RAMSEY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Workers at a jewelry store in Ramsey, N.J. were allegedly fooled Monday into cooperating with two gun-toting robbers, who posed as FBI agents.
As CBS 2's John Slattery reported Monday afternoon, police said the robbers left three people tied up in a back room as they looted the store, A number of customers were also caught up in the heist.
The robbery occurred at Aydin Coins & Jewelry on Route 17 in Ramsey around 11:20 a.m. Monday, 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported.
Police: Armed Men Pose As FBI Agents To Rob Ramsey Jewelry Store
The two suspects were wearing safety masks as they entered the store, and claimed they were involved in an investigation about a reported meth lab, police said.
"Both had respirator masks on as well as goggles," said Ramsey police Chief Bryan Gurney. "The individual with the tie came in and identified himself as an FBI agent; showed some sort of ID."
Police: Armed Men Pose As FBI Agents To Rob Ramsey Jewelry Store
The two men indicated to those inside that there was some sort of chemical concern.
"They were saying there was some sort of environmental issue -- perhaps a meth lab or something on scene -- and they were investigating," Gurney said. But he said it was all just a ruse to get in.
After a couple of minutes, the owners of the store -- two brothers who were there with their elderly mother, grew suspicious of the two men.
"Finally, the one actor pulled out a semi-automatic weapon," Gurney told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman.
The men zip-tied the three employees and forced them into the back room of the jewelry store, according to Gurney.
With that, the suspects opened the safe and several display cases, and they cleared the place of its jewelry over a period of six or seven minutes.
After he heard the bandits leave the store, the owner managed to break free of his ties and went to neighboring Buono Bagels and asked its owner to call police.
"The guy from next door got loose, came over, banged on the door – 'Call the police! Call the police! We've been robbed!'" said Fred Greenberg, the owner of Buono Bagels. "Their mom was there. She had been handcuffed, tied up as well. I cut her loose."
There were no injuries, and descriptions are vague because of the masks and goggles. One man was in a dark jacket and tie, the other in a blue jump suit with a hood.
Police describe the crime as a well-thought out robbery, and said they do not know of another like it in the region.
Police said there is videotape of the suspects, which has been turned over to the prosecutor's office. The amount of the loss has not been determined.
Ramsey police said they are in touch with the real FBI as they investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ramsey Police Department at (201) 327-2400.
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