CHINATOWN — Police released an image of a thief who robbed three jewelry stores by telling workers he wanted to view necklaces then snatching them when they were taken out of the display case, the NYPD said.
The suspect asked a worker inside Chain Corner, on Bowery and Canal Streets, to take out a necklace on May 26 about 4:10 p.m. When the employee presented it to him, he snatched it from its display tray and ran from the store, the police said.
On June 3, he asked an employee at Sasha Jewelry on Canal and Baxter Streets to show him a chain. When the worker brought it out, another man entered the store and grabbed it and the two fled, the NYPD said.
On June 11, he pulled off the same stunt inside Phoenix Fine Jewelry on Canal and Lafayette Streets about 11:40 a.m. and made off with a $15,000 chain. He did not have an accomplice that time, police said.
The robber is described as being between 25 and 30 years old, 6-foot tall and 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.
The accomplice, who police believe only assisted in the second robbery, is also between 25 and 30 years old. He was last seen wearing a white baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
