The Citizens Crime Commission on Monday announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the capture of two men responsible for the violent armed robbery of a Northeast jewelry store on Nov. 4.
Police detectives continue to investigate leads in the case in which merchandise worth about $200,000 was stolen from Belaggio Jewelers, 2115 Cottman Ave.
The robbers entered the store at about 4:50 p.m. and immediately charged at a store clerk with handguns drawn. Neither wore a mask. They hopped a counter, forced three employees into the rear of the business and removed a variety of jewelry items from display cases and a safe.
No patrons were in the shop at the time. No injuries were reported.
The crooks fled initially on foot and were spotted entering a green Ford Contour that had been parked outside a nearby Sears store. An off-duty police officer saw a portion of the getaway car’s Pennsylvania license plate. The digits “2204” may be on the tag.
Both robbers are black. One is about 40 years old and between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall. He had a reddish beard and close-cut hair. He wore a dark suit and dark leather jacket. He carried a black handgun.
The other man is 35 to 40 years old and about 6 feet tall. He had close-cut hair and wore a gray hooded sweat shirt, blue jeans and brown-tinted sunglasses with gold frames. He carried a silver handgun.
No shots were fired. The owner of the store declined to discuss details of the encounter, although edited surveillance video of the crime is available via the PhillyPolice.com Web site or by searching for “Bellagio Jewelry Store” on YouTube.com.
The Citizens Crime Commission is administering the reward. To make an anonymous tip, call the hotline 215–546-TIPS. Those wishing to contribute to the reward amount may also call 215–546-TIPS. ••
