Salisbury police are looking for two suspects in the robbery of Brownlee Jewelers at Innes Street Market on Faith Road.
When the suspects entered the store Friday morning, one stayed by the door and the other approached an employee in the back. As he neared the rear of the store, the suspect sprayed pepper spray in her face, as well as that of another employee and a customer.
According to Deputy Chief Mark Wilhelm of the Salisbury Police Department, pepper spray creates a burning sensation in the eyes, temporarily blinding an individual. It can also cause trouble with breathing.
The supects then smashed some of the glass display cases with a hammer, taking diamond rings and men’s watches.
Meanwhile, one of the employees attempted to press the alarm, but the suspects sprayed her again.
Wilhelm said police found blood on the scene; however, no one in the store was bleeding. A manager, an associate and one customer were in the store when the robbery occurred.
Henry Elliott, who works for Pepsi, was unloading his delivery truck when the two suspects fled the scene. At first Elliott kept working, he said, but he thought “it’s not that cold.” Then he realized why the men were running.
Elliott said the men ran toward Circuit City. He did not see them get into a vehicle. One of the suspects carried what looked like a grocery bag, he said.
Officers searched for the men with a police dog. The dog led officers to the Circuit City area.
Both suspects are described as black. One was more than 6 feet tall with broad shoulders. He was wearing a tan jacket, a brown toboggan with a green stripe and a Big Apple hat. The other suspect was 5 foot 6 inches tall. He was wearing a dark top and a dark baseball cap.
Wilhelm said that videotapes from the store showed the men were in and out in 60 seconds. The tapes show the men heading directly to the area where the merchandise was taken, collecting it and leaving.
“They wasted little time,” Wilhelm said. “They got what they wanted and got out.” Wilhelm suspects both suspects are experienced thieves.
Police are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 638-5333 or CrimeStoppers at 638-5388.
Heather Shepherd, assistant manager, arrived at the store after receiving a call from a coworker who had heard about the incident on a police-band scanner.
“I wanted to make sure everyone was okay,” Shepherd said Friday.
The worth of the jewelry stolen has not yet been assessed. The store plans to re-open at noon Tuesday after the cases have been replaced.
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