More details emerge about brazen jewelry theft as police seek the ... - Aspen Daily News
Aspen police on Friday released more details about a brazen theft of $118,000 worth of jewelry this week, as well as images of the alleged culprits caught on surveillance cameras.
The crime occurred Tuesday at Christopher Walling Jewelry around 3 p.m. Two women in their 30s or 40s are believed to have “cased” the business to determine the value of specific pieces of jewelry, a press release says. As those two left, a third suspect entered the store and also asked about the value of a pair of earrings.
The first two suspects then returned, claiming they had forgotten a cell phone. While they distracted the store employee, an older couple also entered, opened a cabinet and stole three items.
Aspen police detective Ritchie Zah said Tuesday evening that the employee caught the older man stealing, confronted him and was able to snatch back a bracelet.
An argument ensued when the couple started making a scene and demanding to know why they were being accused before exiting the store. They left the scene on foot. The employee immediately knew the items were gone and called 911, but could not follow them because she had to mind the business, Zah said.
Courtesy Aspen Police Department
Authorities on Friday released these images of the suspects who allegedly stole three pairs of earrings and a pendant that are worth $118,000. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Aspen police at 920-5400.
Four pieces of jewelry were stolen in all: a pendant worth just over $45,000, two pairs of aquamarine earrings worth a combined $45,000 and a pair of pearl earrings valued at $28,000, according to the release.
The suspects are described as:
• a woman in her 30s or 40s, 5-foot-5, with straight, long dark hair, olive complexion, wearing a long skirt and carrying a Michael Kors purse;
• a woman in her 30s or 40s, 5-foot-8, with dark brown hair in a loose bun, olive complexion, distinctive nose, and also wearing a long skirt;
• a heavyset woman with reddish brown hair in a top bun, wearing a royal blue long-sleeved sweater with rhinestone buttons and a dark, ankle-length skirt;
• a man in his late 50s, 5-foot-8, with unhealthy teeth, wearing a short-sleeved white button-down shirt and white hat;
• a woman in her late 50s, 5-foot-8 (while wearing wedge sandals), heavyset, missing some teeth, wearing a visor low on her head.
Any citizens or business owners who had contact with or witnesses the movements of the individuals, or have information regarding their identities, are encouraged to contact Zah at 920-5400.
