[CPProt.net] Jewelry heist at antique store leaves few clues

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

Jewelry heist at antique store leaves few clues
SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer
First, you distract the salesman in the back of the store. Next, your
partner talks up the store's only customer.

Finally, an unseen accomplice breaks into the display cabinet and steals
some valuables. That's how county police believe a group of four thieves
stole about $60,000 in antique rings from a Severna Park antique store
Friday.

"This is a new twist for us," said David Holt, manager of Antiques To Go on
Ritchie Highway.

According to county police, a couple walked into the store at about 5 p.m.
and asked the only clerk on duty, Christine Riddle, some questions about a
piece of furniture in the back. At the same time, another man, possibly with
a speech impediment, asked the store's only customer for help picking out a
Mother's Day gift.

With all possible witnesses otherwise involved, an accomplice used a store
key to break into the display cabinet and steal three trays of rings.

Ms. Riddle told police that while she was talking to the couple in the back,
the man's cell phone rang and that he got nervous when she tried to walk to
the front of the store. She said the man received a second call a minute
later and that the couple left without buying anything.

"They (the person who stole the rings) called the people in the back," Mr.
Holt said. "They called them to tell them it was done."

Ms. Riddle later walked to the front of the store and saw some rings lying
on the floor. She then looked in the cabinet to see the trays were missing
and called 911. An officer was dispatched to the scene to take a report.

"I wasn't really pleased with how the investigation was handled," Mr. Holt
said. He expected someone to collect fingerprints "considering the amount of
merchandise stolen."

Sgt. Shawn Urbas, county police spokesperson, said the evidence technician
was busy Friday, but did responded to the scene Saturday - the day after the
theft.

He said the technician took some digital pictures and checked for
fingerprints. However, no usable fingerprints were found at that time.

Ms. Riddle told police the man posing as a customer was black, 6 foot 1 inch
tall, weighing 200. She was unable to provide a description of the woman,
except that she also was black.

The customer told police the man who distracted her was black, 6 feet tall,
180 pounds. No description was available for their accomplice.

As a result of the theft, Mr. Holt said he has upgraded the store's
security, buying more cameras and a new VCR. The store's old camera system
did not record, but police are looking at a neighboring store's tapes for
leads.

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