Surveillance tape shows trio stealing from jewelry store

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Statesville police are looking for three people who broke into a pawn shop, emptied showcases and stole guns, and the police are hoping surveillance video will catch them.

In the video shown to Eyewitness News, the trio can be seen making several attempts to break in through a window at Statesville Jewelry and Loan. The video showed at least 30 attempts before they created a hole big enough to crawl through.

"Three of them, they crawl through," said store manager Anne Soto.

Police said it happened in less than a minute. Once inside, the three split up -- two took turns emptying the jewelry cases while the other went for the rifles, taking four of them.

Soto believes they were targeted.

"You just don't get in and out that quick, and know exactly what you're looking for, and never have been in our store," she said.

You can't see who they are but Soto said she hopes someone will recognize their clothing, especially the black sneakers with white trim.

"They're young -- I'd say they're 20 years old. I'd say they might be in high school. You can see their shoes," she said.

The thieves got away with at least $10,000 worth of jewelry and guns. Police are now checking pawn shops in several counties in hopes of recovering the items. They're also working to match serial numbers for the guns.

"We are looking into possibilities on the firearms and contacting ATF," said Capt. Bryan Johnson with Statesville Police.

With it being the busiest shopping time of the year, Soto said they're working hard to make sure it never happens again.

The Statesville Jewelry and Loan store in Troutman was robbed in similar fashion just six weeks ago. Police said they're not connected. In that robbery, officers are following leads that the guns could be in Charlotte.

If you have any information on either of these crimes, call police.

WSOC