Robbers use old-men costumes to steal diamonds from Brookhaven jeweler

Police say the men were wearing professional grade masks when they were buzzed into the Brookhaven store around 11:20 a.m.????

Two robbers dressed as old men limped their way into a Brookhaven jewelry store Tuesday and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in Rolex watches, police said.

The men wore professional-grade masks when they were buzzed into the Dresden Drive store around 11:20 a.m., Channel 2 Action News reported.

Surveillance video shows one man hunched over and hobbling with a limp as if he needed assistance.

Police say these men were wearing professional-grade masks when they were buzzed into a Brookhaven jewelry store around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

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But once they got inside, the act was over.

Police told Channel 2 the men ambushed the owner and his daughter with pepper spray, then zip-tied them in the back room while they stole the jewelry.

“My eyes completely blacked out and then he started screaming, ‘Get down on the floor!’" the owner told the news station.

The owner said a third employee was forced to unlock jewelry cabinets.

“They came specifically for that because I see the jewelry over there and they didn't take that,” the owner said.

He told Channel 2 all the watches have serial numbers, but they’ll likely be sold illegally.

“It’s either going to be sold on the streets or eBay maybe,” he said.

The owner is offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the men who attacked him and his employees.

Police said the men ran back across Dresden Drive and into the neighborhood across the street, where they disappeared.

Meanwhile, Dunwoody police say a man stole more than $20,000 in diamonds from a local jewelry store last Wednesday. He first asked to see a 1.5-carat diamond and then asked to see a 2-carat diamond. As soon as he had both items, he ran from the store.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text information to 274637 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000.

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