Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes was reportedly eating lunch just yards away from a West Seattle jewelry store when it was robbed by four masked robbers who stole $2 million in diamonds, gold, and luxury watches in a brazen two-minute heist. The suspects smashed the store’s glass door with a hammer, threatened staff with bear spray and a stun gun, and fled with the stolen goods within 90 seconds.
The robbery, which occurred on Thursday, saw the suspects execute a quick and violent attack on the Menashe & Sons Jewelers, taking everything from six display cases. Despite the chaos, the chief and his security detail were inside an adjacent business at the time and were unaware of the crime until responding police vehicles arrived. While the suspects escaped in a getaway car before police arrived, no arrests have been made yet.
The store’s owner, Josh Menashe, vice president of the family-owned store, spoke on Friday about the shock and dismay of the incident, stating that the store would be closed for a while. Matthew Strommen, the manager of the nearby Industrious Gym, reported that employees of the jewelry store escaped out the back and went to the gym for help. He added that there was “a lot of shock and surprise” because of the robbery, leading to the gym locking the doors until police arrived.
Seattle police are asking anyone with information to call 206-233-5000. The department spokesperson confirmed that the chief and his detail were nearby, though the exact location was not disclosed. The suspects, who escaped in under a minute, stole an emerald necklace worth $125,000 and a case of Rolex watches totaling around $750,000. The heist was so swift that it left the staff and patrons in a state of disbelief and confusion.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of businesses in the area and the effectiveness of local law enforcement in preventing such crimes. While no one was injured in the robbery, the financial impact on the store is expected to be significant, with the owner indicating that they will be closed for an extended period. The ongoing investigation is a focal point for the Seattle Police Department, as they seek to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen goods.