Thieves steal $30K in jewelry from Puente Hills Mall, deputies say

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. (KABC) -- A thief and an accomplice remained at large after a jewelry store theft at the Puente Hills Mall in the City of Industry.

Detectives with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said two men walked into C&L Jewelry Repair at about 4:15 p.m. on March 17.

One suspect asked to have his jewelry cleaned, while a second suspect distracted the owner, according to investigators.

Deputies said surveillance video captured a suspect attempting to pry open the display case with a coin when the owner wasn't looking.

Once the suspect realized he could lift the glass off the display case, detectives said he asked the owner to do more work on the jewelry he brought in to have cleaned.

"While the owner was in the back of the store, he actually lifted the display case and stole an allotment jewelry from within the store," Det. Anthony Peraita with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

With the owner still in the back of the store, the suspect walked out with several rings, officials said.

The owner told ABC7 the stolen rings were valued between $20,000 and $30,000. The display case is now locked to prevent a repeat robbery, according to the owner.

Anyone with information about the robbery or the identity of the suspects was urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous.