Madison Heights

Two men trick clerk, steal watch

By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

Two men swiped a watch worth nearly $3,000 when the clerk at a local jewelry store temporarily dropped his guard.

The incident occurred at Jared, The Galleria of Jewelry, at 451 W. 14 Mile around 6:40 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.

The first suspect was described as a black teenager, 16 to 17 years old, standing about 5 feet 6 inches and weighing about 160 pounds. He was wearing a black hat and gray hoodie, and had the number “2012” tattooed on his left forearm.

The second suspect was a black teen age 16 to 17, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 180 pounds, wearing a sleeveless gray jacket.

The first suspect took the lead role in the crime. He started out looking at the rings, and then requested a bottle of water. While drinking the water, he examined the selection of watches and asked to try one on.

The watch was a Movado worth $2,995, described as a push-button deployment class, chronograph stainless steel bracelet, with grey sapphire crystal.  

But the crime didn’t happen just yet. The suspect said he’d like to purchase the watch. While filling out the paperwork at the cash registrar — providing information that may or may not be legitimate — he snatched the watch right out of the clerk’s hand.

“Off the initial appearances, they took advantage of the situation, going in to pose as customers,” said Madison Heights Police Lt. Corey Haines. “When they realized the clerk had the watch out of the locked case, they took the opportunity to steal the watch.”

The lieutenant noted it’s odd, though, that the first suspect tried the watch on at one point but waited until he was at the cash register to make the theft. It’s possible the suspects weren’t sure whether they would attempt the crime when they arrived.  

During the incident, no nervousness was described in either suspect. The second suspect simply hovered in the background, accompanying the first suspect, but when the first suspect grabbed the watch, the clerk gave chase inside the store, and when the clerk stepped in front of the two men, both suspects pushed him away.

Once outside, the unarmed duo ran south on foot across the parking lot, heading in the direction of Mandoline. There were no signs of a getaway vehicle. Police attempted a K-9 track but neither of the suspects were detected.

Haines said there have been robberies at the Jared’s in the past, including an armed robbery. Investigations on this latest incident are ongoing.

“We don’t have the surveillance video yet, but there should be some,” Haines said.

Anyone with information on these or other incidents can contact Madison Heights detectives at (248) 585-2100.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1104.