Caught On Tape: Nearly $1M In Rolexes Taken In Smash-And-Grab
KOREATOWN (CBS) — Los Angeles police have released video of two armed suspects during a smash-and-grab robbery at a Koreatown-area jewelry store last week.
One of the victims is an out-of-town watch collector who was robbed twice in eight days.
Two gunmen stormed into the Saint Cross jewelry store inside Koreatown Plaza shortly before 11 a.m. on May 18. One thief immediately put a gun to collector John Kwon's head.
"Cocks the gun, points the gun at my face, walks towards me and he tells me to get down on the ground," he said. "From that point on all I hear is him yelling to open the case."
The store salesperson ran off and escaped through the back door.
With a gun to Kwon's head, the two thieves knew exactly what they came for: high-end Rolex watches. One thief tried to bust the glass of the case, but it was unbreakable after the owners installed new glass following the store's last robbery.
The gun was lifted from Kwon's head to pop open the case.
"The showcase, he knew how to open that thing," said Kwon.
One thief then ran outside to point the gun at a security guard who approached the store. Then, in less than fifty seconds, nearly $1 million in Rolexes were taken from the store.
They escaped through the store's back door.
Kwon said during the ordeal he just stayed calm.
"Just covered my face, pretend like I'm not looking at this guy," he said.
It's the second robbery in eight days for Kwon. His car was burglarized of $200,000 in cash and watches. Someone had followed him after he purchased some of the watches from St. Cross Jewelry.
Kwon has been investigating the robberies on his own and with the help of a private investigator. Both are unrelated.
This is also the second robbery for Saint Cross Jewelry. They're once again trying to upgrade their security.
Police said the two suspect took off in a newer model gray Ford Escape with 26 high-end Rolex watches valued at $800,000, according to the LAPD.
Both suspects are described as Black males, weighing between 150 to 160 pounds, and are 5'11. The first suspect is believed to be between 30 to 35 years of age and the second, between 25 to 30, the news release stated.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact Olympic Area Robbery Detectives at (213) 382-9460.
