VERO BEACH — Word has spread throughout the business community via the Indian River County and Sebastian River chambers of commerce to be on the alert after a Vero Beach jewelry store was robbed Monday afternoon.
Authorities are searching for a suspect they describe as a male in perhaps his 20s standing about 6-feet tall weighing between 170 and 180 pounds.
Leigh Jewelers, on Ocean Drive, co-owner Mark Leigh told our sister publication Vero Beach 32963 that the suspect had been in his store about a week ago looking at engagement rings with his Hispanic girlfriend.
Leigh said this is the first time in the store’s 17-year history in Vero Beach that it has been robbed.
According to the Vero Beach Police Department, the suspect asked to see some rings and while examining them, took two rings, including a 4-carat diamond, and fled the store.
Police said the suspect was last seen jumping jumping into the passenger side of a dark blue SUV, which left the area traveling west on Acacia Road.
He was last seen wearing a coral colored button up shirt, khaki shorts and a ball cap.
A business alert sent through the local chambers of commerce said that the suspect may have visited other jewelry stores in recent days.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact the Vero Beach Police Department at (772) 978-4604.