SANFORD, Fla. – Police said a man walked into the Zales Jewelry Store at the Towne Center Mall in Sanford, asking to see a number of engagement rings. Pictures show the man pulling out a chair to sit down, and others talking to the sales associate with the rings on display for him to look at.
"It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon, busy mall day, crowded mall," Brianna Gillett of the Sanford Police Department said.
Next thing you know, he's up and running out of the store.
"He got her off guard, she wasn't anticipating that and because of that, he was able to (use) those extra seconds to grab the jewelry and leave the area," Gillett said.
He left the sales woman in shock, the man taking off in what looks like mid-conversation.
The stolen rings are valued at $23,000.
"He was able within minutes to exit that mall with $23,000 worth of merchandise from that Zales store, to us it's very serious as far as the brazen act," Gillett said.
Police said after the man ran off he went through the mall and hopped into a black sedan outside.
Zales' corporate office sent a statement about the incident.
"We work directly with local authorities and provide all relevant details to assist in their investigation."
"We're hoping that somebody will recognize him, he's an older gentleman, possibly a Hispanic male, appears to be balding," Gillett added.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline.
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