COBBLE HILL, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Police are investigating two robberies at a jewelry store in Brooklyn in just over a month, according to authorities.
“The jewelry is insured. People aren’t,” Melissa Joy Manning, the owner of the Melissa Joy Manning jewelry store, told PIX11 News. “They definitely did the right thing, stepping aside and giving him what he wanted.”
A had man walked into the jewelry store on Court Street in Cobble Hill around 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 and announced a robbery, according to police. Police said the man acted like he had a knife and used force to take jewelry before running north on Court Street.
Store surveillance video didn’t record a clear image, as he grabbed around $200,000 worth of gems.
Before the second robbery, police advised the jewelry store owner to upgrade her video equipment and to lock the door to buzz in customers.
Then on Tuesday, police said a man and woman walked into the same location around 3:15 p.m. Police said the man grabbed an employee, threatened to kill her, and forced her to take off her jewelry. The man and woman left the store heading north on Court Street.
The man can be heard on surveillance video threatening the employees as he grabbed an estimated $50,000 worth of handmade, artisanal jewelry.
When he first entered the store, he muttered, “not sure you know me,” as he waved at the new security cameras, the owner said.
“He had the gall to wave at our cameras and wave at my employee and say ‘hi I’m back, not sure you remember me before grabbing her by the neck and he wore a bright green tracksuit,” Manning told PIX11 News. “It’s very blatant.”
“He brought an accomplice, who posed as a customer unmasked. She rang a bell. The moment she entered. He came in right behind her, and she stood and guarded the door,” Manning said.
The jewelry store owner doesn’t fault the police for not catching the suspect yet since she said he has been masked in each of the many robberies in Brooklyn and Manhattan that he’s suspected of committing. But Manning is now hoping someone will recognize his unmasked accomplice.
“The community has been so supportive,” Manning added.
The jewelry store owner is planning to add a security guard at the door:
No arrests have been made in either incident, police said.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
