Limerick jewel thieves may be linked to more heists

LIMERICK, Pa. - July 13, 2011

Late Wednesday, Action News learned of a jewelry store robbery at the King of Prussia Plaza.

Investigators are not sure, but they believe it most likely is the work of the same men responsible for a rash of jewelry store robberies around the region.

The robbery in Limerick began when the two men entered the Zales jewelry store at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets mall Monday.

They then implemented their plan by distracting the employees.

"The first male asked for one of the associates to write down some information about a piece of jewelry, as both of the ladies do this, the second male pulls out a handgun," Limerick Police Detective Ernie Morris said.

Police say the two men, one with a handgun, then pulled out trash bags and ordered the associates to load them with high end bridal jewelry. The bandits then tell the employees to go in a back room and they slowly walk out.

"They came in calmly, they asked the ladies to do what they wanted very calmly. They were not in a rush to run out of the store; they took their time," Morris said.

Investigators believe the two men are responsible for an armed robbery at Von Gehr's Jewelry earlier in the day in New Holland.

Police are trying to link the pair to a couple more jewelry store robberies in South Jersey, including one in Jackson that Action News reported on in June.

Police suspect the duo is part of a larger organization.

"A lot of the crime we see at the outlet mall is directly linked to overseas activity, the Dominican Republic, a lot of clothing and merchandise there," Morris said.

Police don't have an exact value of the jewelry stolen yet, but the haul in Limerick is expected to be upwards of $200,000.

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