Seattle police chief said to be dining close by during $2M jewelry robbery

Seattle Police Chief Nearby During Jewelry Store Heist

The Seattle Police Chief was reportedly just a short distance away from a jewelry store that was looted on Thursday afternoon.

On that day, four masked individuals carried out a robbery at Menache & Sons Jewellers in West Seattle, threatening staff with bear spray and stun guns. They smashed through the locked glass front door using a hammer and took valuables from six display cases within minutes.

Interestingly, Seattle Police Chief Shon Burns was having lunch just yards away at the time of the incident, according to police sources.

A spokesperson for the police department noted that although Chief Burns was nearby, he could not specify his exact location at the moment of the robbery.

Quick Execution of Robbery

“When the robbery occurred, Chief Burns and his security detail were at a nearby business,” the spokesperson explained. “They were occupied and unaware that the crime was about to unfold.”

Apparently, the suspects were in and out of the store in under 90 seconds. The chief’s security detail was dressed in plain clothes during the robbery.

Another spokesperson mentioned on a radio program that the chief and his team were seen by the robbers just as a police vehicle, lights flashing and sirens blaring, responded to the scene.

Details of the Stolen Goods

The thief accessed a case containing an emerald necklace valued at $125,000 and a Rolex watch worth around $750,000.

“We were really shaken as a staff,” said Josh Menache, vice president of the family-owned store. “We’ll be closed for some time.”

Meanwhile, the manager of a nearby gym, Matthew Stromen, recounted how an employee from the jewelry store rushed to the gym seeking help.

Aftermath of the Robbery

There was considerable shock and concern among the staff, leading them to lock the door until police arrived.

The suspects fled in a getaway car just before police arrived at noon. As of now, no arrests have been made, and thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.