Police investigate jewelry theft at mall

AUBURN HILLS — Police are searching for three unidentified suspects responsible for robbing a jewelry store at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.

At 5 p.m. on Jan. 13, officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department were dispatched to the Helzberg Diamond Outlet store inside the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets at 4000 Baldwin Road. 911 calls reported three males wearing masks had used hammers to smash jewelry displays and steal jewelry. Investigators said the suspects did not assault or threaten any employees during the theft.

After stealing the jewelry, the three males fled on foot. The three suspects then exited the mall through entry/exit six and entered a black SUV. The SUV then left the mall parking lot onto Baldwin Road.

Upon arrival, Officers could not locate the suspect vehicle but began investigating. Initially, there were reports of gunfire during the incident. After reviewing surveillance videos and speaking with eyewitnesses, those reports were confirmed to be false. It was determined that the noise of the hammers hitting the glass cases could have been mistaken for gunshots.

Police officers described the suspects as three African American males, between 18 and 25 years of age, all approximately 6-feet in height with thin builds. They said all three wore black hooded sweatshirts, gloves, surgical masks and black stocking hats at the time of the incident.

Auburn Hills Police Detectives said they are actively working to identify the three suspects and the driver of the black Buick SUV.  Anyone who may have information related to this incident is asked to contact the Auburn Hills Police Department at (248) 370-9460.