More than $500,000 in jewelry stolen in Beaver Creek
lglendenning@vaildaily.com
Beaver Creek, CO Colorado
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado ” The Vail Police Department is warning local jewelry stores to be on the lookout for robbery attempts after more than $500,000 in watches and rings were taken from a Beaver Creek jewelry store last Thursday.
Vail Police Detective Sgt. Craig Bettis sent a letter to jewelry stores, which was then circulated via the Vail Chamber and Business Association. In it, Bettis described the five suspects who walked into J. Scott Jewelers in Beaver Creek on March 5 and walked out with the hefty loot.
J. Scott Jewelers confirmed the robbery, describing it as very organized and coordinated. There were three suspects ” two males in their early 20s and one female in her late teens ” and an older couple who appeared to be the younger suspects’ parents, said a store spokesperson who did not want to be identified.
Three of the suspects distracted the only salesperson on duty that day, while the other two got a set of keys and unlocked a jewelry case, the spokesperson said. They stole a Harry Winston watch and four diamond engagement rings, the spokesperson said.
The store spokesperson said the crew knew what they wanted ” they left three other diamond rings in the case that weren’t worth as much as the other items.
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“I can tell you they were professionals,” said the spokesperson. “They were very good at what they did. This could have happened to anyone.”
All five suspects appeared to be of Indian or Middle Eastern descent and had no accent, according to Bettis’ letter to Vail jewelry stores. They all had a medium complexion and build, the letter said.
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office worked the Beaver Creek case and would not release any information about the robbery as of Monday.
Lauren Glendenning can be reached at 970-748-2983 or lglendenning@vaildaily.com