Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
An estimated $40,000 worth of diamond rings were stolen from a Warsaw jewelry store Thursday afternoon.
An owner of Bowers Jewelry, Commerce Drive, called police about 3 p.m. Thursday to report the incident that was recorded on videotape.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday, three people - two women and a man - entered the store and were reportedly looking for a replacement diamond for a cross necklace the man was wearing that was obviously missing a diamond.
The suspects are described as "Indian-looking," all with dark complexions and dark hair. Both women had long hair that was pulled back, and one of the women is described as thin and the other heavy. The man is described as having a pot belly. The three reportedly were speaking in a "Gypsy language."
While the employee was helping another customer, the videotape shows that the thinner woman went behind a ring display case and out of the camera view on three occasions during an estimated five-minute span. During this time, the heavier woman was in front of the display case and the man was talking with an employee near the cash register.
Police said the videotape shows a hand removing a key from an adjoining display case and also twice shows a hand inside the case from which the rings were missing.
The three then all approached the cash register, talked with the employee, then reportedly left without making any purchases. After they departed, it was discovered that 16 to 21 diamond rings each valued at $1,000 to $6,000 were missing. The total estimated loss is $40,000.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Warsaw Police Department at 372-9511.
