Local

Thousands worth of jewelry stolen from Costco

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police in Alpharetta and Cobb County are looking for a pair of smash-and-grab thieves who have stolen six figures' worth of jewelry from Costco stores.

Video of one theft from Jan. 2 at a store on Jordan Court in Alpharetta shows one man take a hammer to a glass display case.  The video shows the man and an accomplice grab jewelry from the case, then flee.

"They're in and out in probably under 10 seconds," Alpharetta Public Safety spokesman George Gordon told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik.  "They're active and we need to bring them into custody."

Gordon said cameras captured two men coming into the store earlier in the day and "case" the display cases.

“We’re looking for that tidbit of information that can break this case,” said Gordon.

Cobb County police are investigating a similar case from Feb. 2 at the Cumberland Mall location.

According to an incident report Petchenik obtained, witnesses saw the men drive off in a “white, late-model passenger vehicle” that was possibly a Lexus.  The report said the men apparently tied paper to trees to “mark their escape route.”

“Wow, that’s crazy.  That’s bold.  I guess people are desperate these days,” said shopper Steve Kendig.  “I hope they get the guys.”

Other shoppers said they were also surprised by the brazenness of the crime, committed while other customers stood nearby.

“They probably have something they need the money for or they’re just greedy,” said Cydni Cope.