The theft has been a very expensive lesson in
security protocol for Glennpeter Jewelers. A loose diamond worth
35-thousand dollars was stolen from their Colonie Center Mall store last week.
The store, and police, are asking for your help in finding the gem worth
tens of thousands of dollars
Sep 26, 2006
06:42 PM
It took just seconds to make the very costly
switch.
"In those five seconds, he made the switch, and
it was gone," says Jeff Wiess, owner of Glennpeter Jewelers.
Surveillance photos show the suspect, a young white
man, walking into the store, asking to look at a "Hearts on Fire"
two-carat diamond. The suspect switches the diamond for a fake when he asks
the sales associate to grab the certificate for the diamond. She goes under
the counter, and that is when he switches the diamond.
"The sales associate looks up, doesn't notice
the fake, talks to him...he basically leaves the store, and that's
unfortunately where we are today," Wiess says.
Hours later, the sales person realizes the stone has
been replaced with a cubic zerconia, worth nothing more than a couple bucks.
Wiess says the diamond is recognizable by laser
identifiers etched into the side of the stone. He says it is easy to spot,
with the company name "Hearts on Fire" and the number
"52506" etched on the side. Wiess believes the suspect is local and
will try to fence the diamond online or in local stores.
But with little to go on, except pictures of the
suspect, they are hoping the public will join the police in their efforts.
"We do have a great photo of the young man, so
we are hoping if the public out there sees it, they call the State Police and
we can get the diamond back," says Wiess.
The owner of Glennpeter Jewelers realizes this has
been an expensive lesson in security. They say they have made improvements to
their handling of their loose gems.
Also, there is a reward being offered. Wiess told
NEWS10 he is offering five-thousand dollars to the person who helps locate the
thief and their "real" two-carat diamond.
If you have any information, you are asked to call
the State Police.
