Burglars cut holes in 2 Horsham Twp. stores to get in jewelry shop; 1 suspect shot

HORSHAM TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police say burglars broke through two walls in a Montgomery County shopping center in an attempt to steal from a jewelry store.

It ended with one of the suspects shot.

Authorities confirm to Action News that the store's owner is a retired law enforcement officer and happened upon a burglary in progress at his jewelry shop.

It all played out before 5 a.m. in the Shoppes at English Village in the 1400 block of Bethlehem Pike in Horsham Twp.

Police say the suspects broke the lock at Massage Envy, then cut a hole in Waxing The City next door. Then, ultimately, cut another hole to bust into the jewelry shop.

"They knew what they were doing. I think this was all planned out," said Vicky Lombardo of Waxing the City.

Lombardo said she woke up to a shocking call from Horsham police.

"They told me that the jewelry store got robbed and they wanted me to come here because I was the only emergency contact that they had," she said.

Once the burglars got into the jewelry store, police say their plans were thwarted when sources say the store's owner showed up and shot one male suspect who was inside.

Police say that the suspect was shot in the arm and was taken to the hospital.

Detectives are combing through the store Wednesday morning where they say workers are still taking inventory to see what, if anything, is missing.

Shoppers are shocked at the lengths police say burglars went to in order to break into Jems Jewels and Gold in Horsham Township, Montgomery County.

"Never, ever, ever. I'm like blown away," said Jenifer Haase at Blue Bell. "I don't even have words. How he was able to plan all of that and execute that? That's really scary."

Still, those who frequent this shopping center are rattled.

"It's unnerving and it's scary," Haase said.

It's unclear at this point how the other suspects got away. It's also not the first time this store has been targeted.

Police have not said anything about potential charges in this case.