Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ST. GEORGE — Detectives investigating a recent burglary at a jewelry store have uncovered evidence suggesting the crime was likely committed by one of the international theft groups known to be a highly-organized crime syndicate that have targeted the area in recent years.
On July 14, detectives were called in to investigate a burglary reported at a jewelry store at Red Cliffs Mall in St. George. The incident occurred sometime between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., when the shop was closed, since the business is open by appointment only on Sunday.
St. George Police Sgt. Zach Bahlmann told St. George News the burglars entered the store by breaking through a shared wall of an adjacent business. Once inside, they used specialized equipment to bore into a safe that contained the store's line of expensive watches. The burglars grabbed the items and then exited through the same opening, walked out of the adjacent store and exited the mall. He also said the burglars targeted a specific area inside the adjacent store where their activities would be hidden from public view, which allowed them to bore through the wall unnoticed.
The watches were valued at more than $500,000, the detective added.
