A jeweler was robbed of $300,000 worth of jewelry at gunpoint in a downtown Atlanta high-rise condominium and hotel parking garage last week, authorities said.
The 32-year-old victim spoke to Channel 2 Action News on Tuesday, saying that he was rushed by an armed man after he parked his Mercedes-Benz sedan in the parking garage of Twelve Hotel at 400 West Peachtree Street last Wednesday.
“There was somebody running toward me with a gun,” the man, who asked Channel 2 to remain anonymous, said. “He said, ‘Don’t make me kill you.’ Those were the words he used.”
The man said the gunman pointed the weapon at his face and made him hand over two Rolexes and a Richard Mille watch among other items about 9 p.m., according to an Atlanta police incident report obtained by AJC.com. His iPhone, a MacBook Pro, car keys and Chanel shoes were among the other items stolen.
He told Channel 2 he thinks the thief knew he owns a jewelry store, which is why he was targeted.
“It was almost like he knew I was wearing something valuable,” he said, adding that he plans to move within the next month.
This isn't the first violent crime to take place in the luxury high-rise's parking garage this year. In January, Bernard Gibson was shot and killed there in what police called a drug deal gone wrong, AJC.com previously reported. As of Tuesday night, the case remained open and an arrest had not been made.
Channel 2 reached out to the building’s management for comment and hasn’t heard back.
The victim said the man was wearing a hooded shirt that covered his face, so he didn’t get a good look at him, according to the incident report. Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the building to try to get a better description of the suspect.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477 or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com. Tips can be sent anonymously and information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this investigation can earn tipsters up to $2,000.
