In November, we told you about an armed robbery at a jewelry store located in Provo. It’s possible that the same thieves struck again as recently as last Friday night at a jewelry store in Murray. There isn’t any concrete evidence that the armed robbers are one and the same, but the modus operandi does seem similar to the Provo armed robbery.

Photo: North Charleston

Masked Men Invade Jewelry Store

Two days before Christmas and just prior to closing, jewelry store employees were confronted by two men who were masked and armed. The employees were taken to another room in the store after one employee was forced to open the safe. Law enforcement believes that the masked men broke open jewelry cases and took an undisclosed amount of cash from both the safe and cash register.

No Physical Injuries

One employee stated that the entire armed robbery took place in about five minutes and that the thieves got away with at least $150,000 in jewelry. Luckily, neither employee was physically harmed although one robber did threaten to shoot an employee if tried to look at him (the robber).

Haven’t We Seen This M.O. Before?

As occurred during the armed robbery of the Provo jewelry store, it appears that the thieves began their heist at a time they knew the store would be empty of customers and, since it was closing time, they wouldn’t be bothered by anyone trying to come in during the theft.

Armed Robbery is a First-Degree Felony

We want to remind you of what constitutes aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony:

• Uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon
• Causes serious bodily injury on a person or
• Takes or attempts to take a motor vehicle

Aggravated robbery is punishable by five years to life in prison.

Don’t hesitate to contact a Utah criminal defense attorney if you are being investigated for a crime or if you believe you may be charged with a crime. Do not talk to the police or give a statement of any kind. It’s best to protect your own interests by having an attorney who can advise you and communicate with law enforcement on your behalf.

Three men committed armed robbery of a jewelry store in Provo, Utah last Monday. It appeared that the robbery was planned out in advance of its commission.

Photo: Sherry's Rose Cottage

According to reports, one man entered the store around 6:30 p.m. and asked to look at some items. Shortly after that another man came in and pulled out a gun, at which time the first man showed his gun as well. Then, a third man arrived on the scene, also armed.

The three men then took the three jewelry store employees to a room on the second floor. The alleged robbers proceeded to use duct tape to tie up the employees, covering their eyes and mouths, too.

Police believe that the armed robbery continued for about an hour. The employees were able to free themselves of their bonds and call police, by which time the thieves were gone.

The employees reported that the men spoke a language they didn’t recognize. The thieves took one employee’s vehicle to escape in.

Considering that the men may have had an hour to gather the store’s merchandise before leaving, it does look like this wasn’t a random, spur-of-the-moment theft.

Aggravated robbery occurs when a person in the course of committing a robbery:

• Uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon
• Causes serious bodily injury on a person or
• Takes or attempts to take a motor vehicle

Aggravated robbery is first-degree felony, which can be punishable by five years to life in prison. When these men are captured, they may be charged with two counts of aggravated robbery at a minimum, considering they used guns and stole a vehicle.

We strongly suggest hiring a Utah criminal defense attorney if you are charged with any crime. Don’t assume that the truth of a crime will naturally be resolved by law enforcement’s investigations. You need a criminal attorney to be your voice and advocate.