The "smash and grab" crime wave that's hit other major U.S. cities has now reached San Diego. A jewelry kiosk at Westfield Plaza Bonita lost nearly $250,000 in merchandise when two thieves broke into their display cases with hammers.
Police say the robbery took place at about 2pm on Tuesday afternoon. The owners of the jewelry reported that two suspects had been seen walking around the mall for hours before the robbery took place.
Surveillance video of the incident show two men approach the kiosk. As one of the men swung a hammer and smashed the glass, the other grabbed the jewelry in the case.
The owner Catherine Kim said, “The two guys who came and smashed, they had bags already ready and took our trays. They went straight for our most expensive section, which is chains. They took all of our chains.”
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call National City police at 619-336-4475 or send in tips anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.