Calgary police are working to track down a number of suspects in a series of commercial break-ins where the culprits ended up punching through several walls to gain access to other stores, including a high-end jewelry shop.
Officials say that on October 12, between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m., an unknown number of suspects broke into a business at 2220 68 Street N.E.
Once inside, the culprits managed to break through the walls of two neighbouring businesses to gain access to Sophia Jewellery and Diamonds.
About $650,000 worth of jewelry and cash was taken from the business before the suspects fled the scene.
"We are satisfied that this wasn't a crime of opportunity, this was a pre-planned crime," said Sgt. Matt Baker with the Calgary Police Service.
In addition to the theft, Calgary police say that a number of businesses sustained extensive damage and had a number of items stolen as well.
"This victim, like a lot of other businesses in the area, have worked hard and if you have $650,000 stolen in one night, that's going to have a huge impact."
Investigators are asking the public to share any information they may have about the incident in the hopes of identifying suspects or suspect vehicles seen in the area at the time of the incident.
"If you've been in the area at the time of the break and enter, if you've saw any suspicious persons loitering in the area, any suspicious vehicles. If you saw any suspicious vehicles making off at speed, that's the sort of information that would help us."
Calgarians are also being asked to be on the vigilant about second-hand jewelry listed for sale by various means.
"If you are seeing high-end jewelry at a very low cost, you have to ask why."
Anyone with information about these break and enters is asked to contact the police by calling 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously by using either of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
