HOUSTON – Detectives are trying to determine if several smash-and-grabs at jewelry stores are connected.
The latest store targeted was Ben Bridge in Memorial City Mall. Shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday, the manager said three men smashed display cases and stole an undisclosed number of Rolex watches in about 30 seconds.
Investigators said the thieves covered their faces with bandanas.
The robbery was similar to another one on Christmas Eve. Three masked men walked into the Ben Bridge store in The Galleria on Christmas Eve, smashed cases and grabbed nearly $400,000 worth of watches and jewelry.
A Zales store in a northwest Harris County shopping center was hit in January. Investigators said four masked men used sledgehammers to smash cases to steal merchandise.
Detectives said the stolen watches have serial numbers, so they can be tracked.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.