Authorities Tuesday asked the public for help in identifying a fast-working crew of burglars who broke into a luxury-goods retailer at Fashion Valley mall and made off with more than half a million dollars’ worth of merchandise.
The group of 10 thieves, all wearing gloves and hooded sweat shirts, used a crowbar or similar tool to pry open the front door of the Hermès Paris store at the Friars Road shopping center shortly before 4:30 a.m. Sunday, according to San Diego police.
While inside the business for about two minutes, the bandits stole a variety of items, including purses, jewelry and clothing. The total loss was estimated at in excess of $500,000.
The burglars arrived and fled in three vehicles — a white Chevrolet Suburban and two blue sedans of unknown make and model — with paper license plates. Officials have released no detailed descriptions of the perpetrators.
Investigators believe the thieves may have taken part in a series of break-in thefts at high-end department stores across California, police said.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or contact the agency online at sdcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
— City News Service