CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are searching for a man who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from a Coral Gables store.
The couple who owns Riviera Jewelers had just opened their store when the thief walked in, at around 10 a.m., Monday.
Surveillance video shows the thief, dressed in a blue suit and a beret-style hat, posing as a customer at the jewelry store, located on Miracle Mile near LeJeune Road.
Store owner Estelle Maury said her husband recognized the thief as a returning customer who had come in to the store a week earlier under the guise of buying a ring for his wife.
“After he come back today, my husband feel confident to open the door,” said Maury, “So he arrived, he said, ‘Oh, you come for buying the ring? No problem. We need to show you the ring,'”
Maury’s husband believed he was helping the man complete the purchase when the thief pulled a gun on him.
The video shows the thief sitting down as Maury’s husband goes to the safe. According to Maury, the thief then followed her husband, pulled a gun and made his demands.
“And after he turned [around], he takes the gun and he said, ‘OK, now go to the safe and put everything in my plastic bag,'” said Maury.
After the thief took everything he could find, he made his getaway.
The owners aren’t sure how much was taken, but Maury said one of the rings alone cost $500,000.
The couple is relieved that Maury’s husband was not injured in the ordeal. According to Maury, her husband was forced into a closet with his hands behind his back. Eventually he got out and was able to contact police.
“Thank God he’s alive,” said Maury. “It’s the most important.”
If you have any information on this robbery, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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