Search Continues For Suspect In Violent Santa Rosa Jewelry Store Robbery
SANTA ROSA (KPIX 5) -- Authorities are analyzing store surveillance video and monitoring Bay Area hospitals as they look for a suspect in a violent robbery at a Santa Rosa jewelry store on Thursday. One other suspect has been arrested.
"Everybody in this store felt like our lives were in danger. It was horrific the way it happened," said Ty Visscher, owner of Bennett Valley Jewelers.
Police said the two robbers stormed in to the jewelry store Thursday afternoon, one grabbed a worker and held her hostage at gunpoint. The other robber went right for the Rolexes.
Ty Visscher, who owns the store, had a gun of his own and shot the robber who had the hostage. Police arrested Jimmy Terry of Oakland, who is still recovering in the hospital.
Visscher also shot the other robber in the leg. The suspect was able to escape a full-on manhunt. Authorities are asking hospitals in the Bay Area to be on the lookout.
"There's a lot of hospitals in the Bay Area that this person can potentially go to. If not yesterday or today, but in the future, depending how bad the wound is," said Lt. Lance Badger of the Santa Rosa Police Department.
Police said Terry was paroled out of prison less than two weeks ago, a gang member who served 15 years for a home invasion robbery.
The woman who shot is already out of the hospital and is now recovering at home.
Thursday's incident is the second time robbers have targeted that store in a year. It's one of only three Rolex certified high end jewelry stores in the North Bay.
