Headlines

Jewelry Store Robber Dressed as Construction Worker in California Heist

About $50,000 in custom jewelry was stolen.

Published

1 month ago

November 6, 2023

INSTORE Staff

A jewelry store in Prunedale, CA, was robbed at gunpoint by a man dressed as a construction worker.

The crime happened at Country Jeweler in the Prune Tree Shopping Center, KSBW-TV reported. About $50,000 in custom jewelry was stolen.

According to a bulletin from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, the suspect entered the store at 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 wearing an orange helmet, orange vest and bright yellow shirt and carrying a pink bucket. He “asked confusing and disturbing questions about directions” and was asked to leave, JSA reported.

He left, but returned a few minutes later and robbed the store, pulling a handgun from the bucket. During the incident an employee fell and sustained an injury.

Anyone with information is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.

JSA noted: “Criminals will sometimes wear clothing to lead sales associates to think they are legitimate customers. For example, construction clothing in this case, but also such things as hospital scrubs. Extra caution may be called for.”

Why This Jeweler Chose Wilkerson

Mark Lauer is the owner of Mark Michael Diamond Designs, the Minnesota-based jewelry gallery known for exceptional and uniquely designed diamond jewelry. Though he loved creating the beautiful jewelry his business was known for, retirement was an exciting alternative to the 60+ hours a week he’d spent building it up. He called Wilkerson to help with a retirement sale. “I did talk to two other companies, but I just didn’t feel they offered the same services that Wilkerson did,” he says. “I knew Wilkerson had the expertise to follow through and give me the service and results that I wanted. They’re the number one rock stars in this industry.”