Police investigating jewelry store theft at West Edmonton Mall

Edmonton police are investigating a theft at a West Edmonton Mall jewelry store that saw thieves walk away with gold and diamond jewelry.

In a statement to CityNews, police said, “Officials responded to the report of a commercial break and enter at M.A.R.S Jewellers in West Edmonton Mall on June 16 at around 4:30 a.m. and investigation is underway.”

On Tuesday, the store located by the food court in the mall was seen boarded up.

Thursday, the owners spoke out saying, “Someone broke into our store, and I was just in shock and panic. I don’t know what to do.”

In just under two minutes, three individuals smashed and grabbed the contents of a jewelry store.

The owners of Mars Jewellers are still shocked, saying this was the first time they have experienced a robbery in their store, saying they lost more than half a million dollars worth of products.

Shattered glass on the floor and gold and diamond jewelry completely gone is something co-owner Sami Bagheriun did not expect to see during her vacation, and she had to return to see the damage that was done.

“It is the saddest thing you can imagine, it’s the hardest thing because we started this business with almost zero resources … seeing everything being taken away from us in less than two minutes was the hardest thing,” said Bagheruin.

The store opened its doors in November last year.

An emotional Russell Almario was one of the first to see the damage. He immigrated from the Philippines and planed to have a business in Canada, hoping to share it with her family back home. 

“I didn’t even celebrate it yet with my friends and family back home, and now they’re going to see me, I lost the business even before I said that. That’s really painful,” Almario explained.

While it is the first time they experienced a robbery, thefts have seen an increase across Canada, according to St. Albert RCMP.

Bagheriun is worried this might happen again and to other independent businesses, saying she’s considering adding higher security for the future.

“We are still thinking about it and researching it since this is very fresh, and we are still in shock,” said Bagheriun.

Edmonton police told CityNews that there have not been any jewellery robberies as of late, and a robbery is a separate offence from a break-and-enter.

However, both owners are thankful for their family and their friends’ support and are hoping to open in early July, better and stronger.

“I’m just so thankful that since day one, he’s very supportive, and I don’t hear any blaming. He just said every business has ups and downs, and this is going to make us stronger, and he believes in me,” said Almario

West Edmonton Mall said in a statement that they are cooperating with the police investigation.