Man Hides Before $91K Costco Jewelry Heist

Alleged thief caught on camera waiting for store to close before smashing jewelry case, taking thousands in merchandise

A man in black hid out in a Montgomeryville store Tuesday night and after the store closed he ransacked the jewelry case making off with nearly $100,000 worth of merchandise in a matter of minutes.

Security cameras rolled inside the Costco on Upper State Road from when the alleged burglar entered the store to when he smashed the jewelry case with a TV to when he left with the loot.

The video shows the alleged thief walk into the store while talking on his cell phone. As store employees asked customers to finish shopping the man lingers in an aisle and then slips in between products under a shelf -- out of the sight of store employees.

“After the store closed he came out from his hiding spot, removed a television from display and used this television set to smash the jewelry display cases,” Montgomery Township Police Department Det. Sgt. Joseph Bennis told NBC10’s Doug Shimell.

Police say it took less than 15 minutes for the burglar to methodically empty the Costco jewelry cases of necklaces, pendants and diamond rings totaling around $91,000.

“It did appear that this subject did plan this out and did know where he was going to hide and did know what time the store closed and did know the layout of the store,” Bennis said.

The theif left little in the smashed jewelry cases.

After filling his bag the alleged thief is seen running down a long, dark aisle and disappearing out an emergency exit, according to police.

The suspect appears to be a stocky-built white male who was wearing all black including a distinctive black DC Shoe Company hat.

“Possibly someone might take a look at it and say, ‘hey, it looks like it might be so-and-so,’” Bennis said. “And we’ll follow it up from there.”

Anyone who might recognize the alleged burglar should call Montgomery Township Police at 215-362-2301.

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