SARASOTA, Fla. -- Sarasota police need your help in finding the two suspects who broke into a jewelry and coin store in downtown.
“Once they got access to the store, they were able to be in and out in 60 seconds,” said Genevieve Judge, spokesperson for the Sarasota Police Department. "They were able to do a smash and grab. They grabbed coins, jewelry and they are back out the door in 60 seconds.”
Sarasota police say the man and woman you see in a surveillance video from around 1:30 a.m. Thursday stole $50,000 to $100,000 in jewelry and rare coins from the Estate Jewelry and Coin Galleria on Main Street.
Police say it’s the work of professionals.
“We have reason to believe they are professionals their mannerisms when they go in. They’re dressed, hands are covered, hoods over their heads to try and disguise themselves, they hide themselves and they knew what they were going for; they'd been there the day before to get familiar with the business,” said Judge.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, eight doors down, police say the same couple walked into Milan’s Jewelry store to case it out.
“They were a young couple like any other coming in the store,” recalled Lisa Wolfgang, a sales associate at the store. But Wolfgang says they didn’t act like most couples.
“They were looking for something specific in a specific price and wore sunglasses. Usually people don’t wear sunglasses, especially with jewelry.”
The couple was caught on surveillance video walking into Milan’s. Police made a connection between that couple and the suspects thanks to the woman’s long braid seen in both store videos.
“It’s frightening, it’s really frightening!" Wolfgang said, "It’s surprising the speed things like that happen.”
Wolfgang said this type of theft can happen anywhere. “Part of doing business. We’re all at risk.”
Anyone with information on this case, please call Detective Dustin Luciano at (941) 363-5827 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling (941) 366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com
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