The suspect is armed, dangerous—and a woman.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an unusual criminal—a lone female who has robbed three Southern jewelry chain stores at gunpoint in the last two months.
The suspect has nabbed more than $1 million in merchandise after sticking up a Zales in Dawsonville, Ga., on Aug. 5; a Reeds in Panama Beach City, Fla., on Aug. 11; and a Jared in Bluffton, S.C., on Sept. 2.
“In all my time here, I have never seen a lone female conduct an armed robbery,” says JSA president John Kennedy. “We generally see females doing the nonviolent crimes like grab and runs.”
The woman likely has an accomplice, Kennedy says.
The suspect is described as Caucasian, 5’8”, about 130 lbs., with brown hair. She is generally undisguised, though during one theft she wore a hat. Security cameras have taken some clear shots of her.
Courtesy Jewelers’ Security Alliance
Police rendering and photo of the suspect
“She is very nice-looking, well-dressed, wearing designer clothes,” Kennedy says. “If she walks in, you would want her as a customer. She generally comes in once and then returns carrying a big pocketbook, where she throws the jewelry.”
To date, the stores she’s hit have had only female associates on the floor. So far, no one has been hurt in the robberies, though she generally has employees tied up.
“When you have an armed robbery there is always the potential for violence if someone tries to stop her,” Kennedy says. “She is clearly someone who is extraordinarily bold, and people that bold get me nervous.”
Courtesy Jewelers’ Security Alliance
Shots of the suspect
The reward, made possible by a grant from the JCK Industry Fund, was upped from $5,000 after the woman robbed more stores.
Anyone with information leading to her arrest can leave a tip at 800-325-1883. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can do so and still collect the reward.
The case has been publicized on Good Morning America and CNN.
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