Jewelry

SEATTLE -- Detectives are investigating after suspected robbers smashed display cases and took valuable items from Ben Bridge Jeweler in downtown Seattle, according to Seattle Police.

The incident happened just before 6 p.m. Friday on 4th and Pike Street.

Witnesses told police that several individuals entered the store and smashed display cases with hammers and took the items inside the cases. The individuals then fled before police arrived.

“They had scarves up to their faces like this, their hoods pulled over their heads and they come booking it down the alley from this corner over her,” said witness Justin Scott. “I saw two sledge hammers just sitting on the ground by the jewelry store here and broken glass everywhere. That's a smash-and-grab. We saw the three guys; the guy in the back had a back pack slugged and he was just running, running."

According to police, there is limited descriptions of the suspected robbers at this time.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Seattle Police.

Surprised shoppers walked up to the store to find it closed in the middle of the investigation.

"Robbing a jewelry store is something to hear more in movies than something that's reality,” said shopper Kaylee Best. "It's definitely shocking especially in an area as populated as right here downtown.”

This is the fourth reported smash-and-grab at a jewelry store in the area since August.

Smash-and-grab robberies occurred at Ben Bridge Jeweler at Tukwila's Southcenter Mall, Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood and at Bellevue Square Mall, all between the months of August and November of this year.