Police Search For Armed Robbery Suspects In Connection With Smash-And-Grab At High-End Mission Viejo Jewelry Store

MISSION VIEJO (CBSLA.com) — Armed robbers stole jewelry from a Mission Viejo store Wednesday afternoon in a smash-and-grab heist.

The masked robbers smashed a couple of glass cases and grabbed gems and Rolex watches from the Fredric H. Rubel store at the mall, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.

The four robbers were armed, but investigators said they do not believe any shots were fired.

Deputies were called to the mall shortly before 1 p.m., but the robbers apparently had already escaped. The heist, captured on security camera footage, lasted just one minute.

Investigators picked up the robbers' trail through a tracking device on jewelry that indicated the robbers were on the 405 Freeway in the Costa Mesa area after the heist.

Later, a bag out Rolexes believed to have been jettisoned from the getaway vehicle was found near the Beach Blvd. exit of the 405 Freeway in Westminster. Another Rolex was found at the Goldenwest St. exit.

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