Jeweler reports theft of 5 rings

EAST BRUNSWICK - Police are investigating the theft of five diamond rings with a total value of between $12,000 and $18,000 from a display case at Zales jewelry store in the Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18.

Store employees reported that they were distracted on Saturday evening by a woman described as a black female in her 30s wearing a green jacket, and a second black female wearing a pink shirt and a white hat. The two women asked to inspect jewelry items from one of the display cases.

While the employees were occupied with the two females, a man was walking around the store looking in the cases. When one of the employees looked around to see if the male needed assistance, she observed him leaning over the counter of one of the display cases. When the employee went to the phone to call the police, all three suspects left the store and could not be located in the mall, according to East Brunswick police.

An audit of the merchandise showed that five diamond rings were missing from the case that the male was seen trying to access. Police retained security video from the store for analysis.

The male suspect was described as a black man in his 30s, around 5 feet, 8 inches, to 6 feet tall, heavyset and with a shaved head. He was wearing a white and blue shirt and a dark vest, according to the police report.

The theft took place around 8:52 p.m.