A jewelry thief ripped off a $12,000 diamond engagement ring from a shop in Philadelphia Mills mall last Friday. According to Philadelphia police, all he had to do was ask for it.
The crime occurred at about 7 p.m. at Zales inside the mall on Franklin Mills Boulevard. Police say that the thief posed as a customer and asked to examine a 0.75-carat diamond ring. The sales clerk removed the ring from a display case and handed it to the crook, who promptly bolted for the exit. He was last seen running from Zales toward JCPenney. In addition to the central diamond, the setting included several 0.57-carat diamonds.
Police described the thief as black, 25 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 180 pounds with a slender or fit build. He wore a light gray knitted cap, light gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. ••