Thieves smash into Metropolis, target jewelry stores
Burnaby RCMP is seeking four male suspects responsible for smash-and-grab thefts at two jewelry stores in Metropolis at Metrotown last Friday.
In surveillance video footage, shot early on the morning of Sept. 14 a janitor sweeping the floor of the mall is sent scrambling when a red Jeep comes crashing down the corridor.
The Jeep, which was stolen, is driven through the north side doors of the mall to two jewelry stores. The SUV is used to ram the sliding security door at one before the driver makes a U-turn to hit the doors of the second store.
The security footage then shows the four male suspects emerging from the Jeep wearing disguises and carrying tools. They entered the stores where display cases holding the most expensive merchandise were targeted, say Burnaby RCMP.
The thieves fled in the same vehicle, exiting through the same doors they entered from. The stolen SUV was found a short distance away, on Royal Oak Avenue at Buxton Street.
The break-and-enter is similar to others that have taken place at malls throughout the Lower Mainland.
"This brazen crime trend is concerning to us and thankfully no innocent citizens have been injured," said Supt. Derren Lench of Burnaby RCMP. "It's obvious we are dealing with a determined and professional group."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922 or, to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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