MESQUITE, Texas — For the first time, we’re seeing pictures of how the suspects broke into a Mesquite mall and stole more than $2 million worth of jewelry.
Police say these suspects were using sophisticated tools to break in. We’re also learning about the type of jewelry stolen.
WFAA obtained pictures from where the suspects cut a hole through the wall of vacant Sears at Mesquite Town East Mall, and broke into American Jewelers next door.
"American Jewelers is next to a vacant Sears. The suspects entered Sears unlawfully and breached the sheetrock and a concrete wall that separates the two stores," said Officer Jolyn Lopez from the Mesquite Police Department.
Police say, on Saturday morning, an employee walked into American Jewelers and saw they had been robbed of $2 million worth of jewelry.
WFAA spoke to an American Jewelers' employee on the phone. He confirms for us Rolex watches and Cuban style jewelry were stolen. Some items they lock up every night, and some items they don’t. Obviously, things have changed after what happened on Saturday.
Throughout the day, Mesquite detectives have been combing through surveillance video from mall cameras, because the suspects even ripped out the cameras from American jewelers.
‘’This area is getting kind of dangerous,’’ said Tien Tran, the owner of Instant Cash for Gold.
It’s getting dangerous, because on Thursday, about a mile away from the mall, Tran says, he was robbed.
"They had followed me after work. That night, I was bringing some of my online stuff at home. My friend was having a bridal party," Tran said.
"I left here, went to get gas, went to get food, and then the grocery store. Right when I parked, they broke into my car, straight for the briefcase," said Tran.
Just yesterday, Mesquite police took his surveillance video to see if there is any connection to the Mesquite mall jewelry store robbery.
"I looked at the video, yes, I saw a white car follow me," said Tran.
While police are constantly working on leads, Tran is warning other store owners to do their part.
Tran said he is constantly watching
"Just be vigilant. That’s pretty much all you can do," Tran said.