Eyewitnesses say the robbers were in and out of the store within two minutes. The video of the robbery was just released, and investigators hope someone will recognize the suspects.
The crooks hit a Zales Outlet Store on the Grand Parkway near Bellaire Boulevard last Saturday afternoon.
The store is back up and running, but last Saturday, yellow tape surrounded the store and inside, investigators were collecting evidence and surveying the damage.
Surveillance video released by the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office helps tell the story. A male employee is forced to the floor and stays quiet against the wall during the crime while three masked men tear through the display cases. One leaps over the case as the robbery gets underway while another points a gun at a female employee.
In the next few seconds, all three men, each armed with a pick ax, rip open the backs of the display cases and begin pouring jewelry into black bags. Eyewitnesses say the men went straight for the diamonds and seemed to know exactly where to go inside the store.
And while it likely seemed like a lifetime for employees inside, the men were done in minutes after raking five cases clean and running off with thousands of dollars in jewelry thrown into black bags.
But it's not just surveillance video investigators are taking a close look at. As the thieves ran from the store, a savvy eyewitness saw the masked men jump into a gold-colored Chrysler 300. He took a picture as they sped away and sent it to detectives.
Information that leads detectives to the suspects involved could earn a reward of up to $5,000. Call Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office at 281-341-4665, Fort Bend Crime Stoppers, Inc. at 281-342-TIPS (8477) or text plus the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips also can be submitted online at www.fortbend-tx-crimestoppers.org.
