Woman sought in jewel heists strikes Mebane outlet, police say
MEBANE, NC -- An unidentified woman sought in a series of armed robberies across the South has allegedly robbed a sixth jewelry store, authorities said.
On Monday morning, the woman entered a Jared Vault in Mebane armed with a gun, and allegedly forced workers into a back room. Police said she tied up the workers and then stole an undisclosed amount of jewelry.
The woman is believed to be the same person involved in several jewelry-store robberies across five states since spring 2015.
Authorities said in each case she allegedly targeted outlet stores, tied up salespeople in back rooms at gunpoint and then stole watches, diamonds and other baubles while wearing gloves to prevent fingerprints.
The FBI, which is investigating the robberies, said the woman is likely getting help from an unidentified man who was seen with her in surveillance videos.
The spree started April 28 at a Jared Jewelry store in Woodstock, Georgia, according to the FBI website, which said the woman should be considered armed and dangerous.
On Aug. 5 at a Zales jewelry store in Dawsonville, Georgia, the woman allegedly walked away with $13,000 in valuables.
State and federal authorities said the next incident, which occurred on Aug. 11 at a Reeds Jewelers store in Panama City Beach, Florida, was the woman's biggest robbery. They said she allegedly made off with more than $400,000 worth of jewels. Authorities said the woman allegedly visited the store the day before the robbery.
Another incident was reported on Sept. 2 at a Jared store in Bluffton, South Carolina. And on Oct. 16, the woman allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of jewelry after brandishing a gun and forcing workers into a back room at a Jared Vault in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Witnesses described the woman as 5-foot-8, 130 pounds and in her late 20s or early 30s. A jewelry store trade association has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the woman's arrest.
"Someone knows these people, and others have come in contact with them. I'm asking the public to remain vigilant at all times and help us identify and locate these suspects before someone is seriously injured. These suspects are armed and considered dangerous. If you encounter them directly, contact law enforcement immediately by calling 911. If you have information about their past or future actions, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)," said FBI Special Agent Lawrence Borghini.
