Northeast Philadelphia Jewelry Store Employees Tied Up During Brazen Robbery
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was a frightening Friday for three employees of a Northeast Philadelphia jewelry store.
Police say the workers were tied up while robbers grabbed expensive jewels.
Bold and brazen is how the store owner described the two men who came armed with guns to rob his business, located in a strip mall, during the evening rush hour.
"You have to be buzzed into that store."
Eyewitness News spoke to one woman, who wished to remain anonymous, but she learned what happened from her daughter -- one of the three workers inside the store in the 2100 block of Cottman Avenue at the time of the robbery.
"She said 'Mom, the man was well dressed and I didn't think anything of it' and apparently there was another one right behind him."
The woman was told the two suspects got to work right away, knowing they had no time to waste.
"They pushed into the store and pulled guns fast and made everybody get down and threw them into the back room and tied them up."
The suspects then ransacked the back office and immediately moved onto the jewelry cases out front, apparently targeting only the engagement rings and other diamond jewelry.
"Scary. Just knowing my daughter had a gun stuck on her face is very scary."
Also unsettling is what the suspects did next to try to cover their tracks. Turns out, they grabbed the surveillance system off the counter then took off.
"Apparently, these stores are getting robbed left and right here. They need security on this strip mall. Thank God they weren't, nobody was hurt."
Late Friday night, police released the following suspect descriptions:
Suspect #1
- Black Male
- Between 40-50 years-old
- 5'10''
- Heavy Build
- Dark suit
- Red-colored Beard
Suspect #2
- Black Male
- Between 40-50 years-old
- 6'
- Thin Build
- Grey sweatshirt
- Sunglasses
The two were last seen driving away in a green-colored sedan, possibly and police stress, possibly a Ford Contour.
An off-duty officer in the area spotted the car and briefly gave chase but lost the suspects who sped away.
As of Friday, the estimated loss was undetermined. Anyone with information is asked to call the Northeast Detectives: (215) 686-3153/3154.
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
