Man Snatches $85K Diamond Bracelet From Glendale Galleria Jewelry Store

GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — The holiday season is a busy time for jewelry stores -- and for thieves, too.

A Romano's Jewelers employee in the Glendale Galleria had just unlocked a case to show a customer a $85,000 diamond bracelet when he grabbed the pricey item and ran off, as reported by the Glendale News-Press.

Store employees say the incident has prompted the chain's owners to consider hiring security guards for all their branches.

The suspect reportedly walked into the store around 6:40 p.m. Thursday when he asked to examine a one-of-a-kind bracelet locked in a glass display case.

An employee took out the bracelet, lined with princess-cut diamonds, and showed it to the suspect.

The man reportedly snatched the bracelet from the employee's hand and ran out of the store, police told the newspaper.

One of the store employees gave chase but stopped after worrying the situation could turn dangerous.

The suspect ran out of the mall through the JCPenney store, located in the 200 block of South Central Avenue.

Store management told the newspaper they now require customers to show identification before getting a closer look at a high-priced item in a display case.

Police are searching for the suspect, who was described as African-American, between 20 and 25 years old and 5-foot-7-inches. He weighs between 130 and 160 pounds. He was wearing a black beanie, dark shirt and black leather jacket.

Anyone with information was asked to call Glendale police at (818) 548-3127.