Three bandits made off with about $7,000 in gold chains from a jewelry counter inside a Philadelphia Mills department store on June 24, police say. Investigators hope that surveillance video will help them generate tips as to the identity of the thieves.
At about 8:15 p.m., the three men entered the jewelry department at JCPenney inside Philadelphia Mills at 1754 Franklin Mills Circle. One man engaged a store employee as a distraction, while a second man served as a lookout and the third broke the lock on a display case. The third man then reached inside the case and took several gold chains.
When the employee noticed what was happening, she called out to a store security guard. But the thieves fled through the store’s south exit into a parking lot and out of view. No injuries were reported in the incident.
One suspect was described as black with a medium complexion, stocky build, a light blue and white baseball cap (possibly with a “P” logo on the front), a white T-shirt, dark blue coveralls with white stains and brown boots. The second suspect was described as black, with a baseball cap, dark shirt with white stripes, and light-colored shorts. The third suspect was described as black, stocky, with a baseball cap, a long light-colored button-down shirt and jeans.
Visit the Philadelphia Police channel on YouTube.com to view surveillance video. Call 215–686-TIPS or text to PPD TIP to report information.
