BAYTOWN, Texas – Three men stole thousands of dollars of jewelry from a mall kiosk in Baytown over the weekend. The same group also stole cash from Kris Kringle, police said.
"They took a cash register from the Santa Claus photo booth," Baytown Police spokesperson Lt. Eric Freed said.
Freed said early Saturday morning, before San Jacinto Mall opened for business, three men burglarized several mall kiosks.
A place called Jewels Corner appears to have lost the most. Nine thousand dollars' worth of jewelry disappeared from display cases, according to police.
"I put everything in the safe," said Aly Vastani, the owner of another jewelry kiosk.
Vastani said his strict policy of not leaving valuables in display cases, even though they lock, allowed him to avoid becoming a victim.
"I see they jumped through here, but they got nothing," Vastani said.
The burglars also ransacked a cell phone kiosk and stole a cash register that was set up at the San Jacinto Mall's Santa's Village Photo kiosk.
The register did not have much money in it, police said.
It is unclear how or when the men entered the mall.
Police have not been able to identify the men who committed the crime, but they believe a surveillance video at a nearby retailer caught the burglars on video.
Late Monday, police have not yet gotten a copy of that video.
Police ask that if you have information about the crimes, or suspects, call Baytown Crime Stoppers at 281-427-TIPS. You can also submit anonymously online at the Baytown Police Department website http://www.baytown.org or text keyword Baytown plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).