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2 armed men smash displays, steal diamonds from Hickory jewelry store

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

HICKORY, N.C. — Police are investigating after two armed men wearing motorcycle helmets robbed a jewelry store Wednesday in Hickory.

Officers were called around 11 a.m. to the Jewelry Exchange on Highway 70 SE near the Hickory Furniture Mart.

Police said the two suspects smashed display cases and stole diamonds from the store before taking off.

In a surveillance video released by police, the motorcycle riders can be seen with their guns drawn as they burst through the front doors of the Jewelry Exchange.

Outside, the motorcycle was already getting the attention of nearby businesses.

"We actually saw the motorcycle,” Everly Tipps said. “My manager came out and she said, ‘Hey there's a black bike out there. I'm going to hop on and ride off in the sunset.’ We were just joking and then come to find out the jewelry store got robbed."

[PAST COVERAGE: Police: Pair on motorcycle behind jewelry store smash and grab]

Inside, one of the robbers circled back and forth with the gun as his partner smashed a display case filled with diamonds.  No one was hurt as they quickly made off with the loot.

"The next thing I saw was two guys flying,” Mary Catherine Fulner said. “(They) jumped on the motorcycle (with) black hoodies, big black gloves, holding a baton, and they took off."

Police are investigating to find out if the robbery is connected to other motorcycle jewelry store robberies in Hickory, Morganton and Asheville earlier this spring.

The suspects never removed their helmets and the owner said the men knew which display case to hit, leaving some employees to wonder if they'd been in the store before.

"I think it's crazy and somebody really needs to find another hobby to do,” Tipps said. “They are not only endangering us but others, and they need to find a job."

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