CrimeApr 02, 2024
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Police Searching for Suspects in $1M Mall Heist
Thieves targeted Venzio Jewelers in New Jersey’s Ocean County Mall.
New Jersey authorities are searching for the suspects behind a $1 million jewelry heist at Venzio Jewelers in Toms River, New Jersey. (Image courtesy of Venzio Jewelers’ Facebook page)
Toms River, N.J.—Police in New Jersey are on the lookout for the thieves responsible for stealing more than $1 million worth of jewels from Venzio Jewelers.
On March 28 around 10 a.m., Toms River Police officers were dispatched to the store, located in the Ocean County Mall, due to a reported burglary and theft.
Officers met with representatives from the jewelry store who said the suspects entered their store between 8 p.m. the previous night and 10 a.m. that morning, according to a statement.
The thieves got into the store’s rear office by cutting a hole in the wall of the empty business next door, said police.
The suspects then cut the phone and alarm cables and used a lit torch to cut into a large safe and steal the jewelry.
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On March 28 around 10 a.m., Toms River Police officers were dispatched to the store, located in the Ocean County Mall, due to a reported burglary and theft.
Officers met with representatives from the jewelry store who said the suspects entered their store between 8 p.m. the previous night and 10 a.m. that morning, according to a statement.
The thieves got into the store’s rear office by cutting a hole in the wall of the empty business next door, said police.
The suspects then cut the phone and alarm cables and used a lit torch to cut into a large safe and steal the jewelry.
In a local report, Toms River Lt. Gene Bachonski shared more details about the ongoing investigation.
To avoid detection, the thieves covered the sprinkler heads with tape to prevent them from going off due to the smoke generated by the torch, and stuffed rags at the bottom of the door to stop the smoke from getting into the showroom.
The alarm panel was ripped off the wall and deactivated, said Bachonski.
Investigators found the vacant store’s rear door, which leads to the outside of the mall, was left unlocked. There were no signs of forced entry.
The police have obtained surveillance video and identified vehicles of interest but are not releasing additional information at this time.
Those with information about the crime can contact Toms River Police Detective Michael MacDonald at 732-349-0150, extension 1366, or Detective Jennifer Grob at extension 1319.
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