Bellevue area jewelry store smash and grabs may be connected
BELLEVUE, Wash. Dec 1 2017 — Bellevue police believe a smash and grab robbery at Ben Bridge jewelry store in Lynnwood’s Alderwood Mall on Tuesday is connected to a similar incident Saturday at Bellevue Square.
Surveillance cameras inside that Lynnwood location captured two men with their faces covered walk into the Ben Bridge on Tuesday and past a security guard. They quickly smashed their way into a display case. One appears to grab an armful of watches, and then the two flee past the same guard and out the door.
Lynnwood police have not identified a suspect in Tuesday’s smash and grab.
Bellevue Square went into a brief lockdown Saturday after a similar incident, when two men smashed their way into a display case and stole some jewelry and watches.
A spokesperson for Ben Bridge says the company is planning to upgrade contracted security and add armed guards where it is necessary.
In August, four people tried to pull off a similar crime at the Ben Bridge in Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, but were unable to break into a display case before they fled. No arrests have been made in that case.
In late August, several thieves stole thousands of dollars in jewelry from another Ben Bridge in Tigard, Ore. Three people were arrested for that crime.
Lynnwood police say they are looking into possible connections to incidents with similar MOs, but have not drawn any conclusions.
Witnesses in Lynnwood said two men dressed in all black entered the Alderwood Mall store Tuesday evening and used sledgehammers to smash a display case. Police said the suspects stole several watches, then ran out of the mall.
Police searched the area but did not find the suspects. Detectives are now reviewing surveillance video.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the theft is asked to call Lynnwood police at 425-670-5600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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