Hideaway box store thief smashes case, takes jewelry worth $40K

Photo provided by Juneau Police Department shows a $350 necklace that is similar to what was taken from Costco on Sept. 17, 2014.
Photo provided by Juneau Police Department shows a $350 necklace that is similar to what was taken from Costco on Sept. 17, 2014. (Click to enlarge)

Juneau police are looking for a burglar who apparently hid out inside the Costco store in Lemon Creek, waited until employees had left, and then escaped with over $40,000 worth of jewelry.

The burglar alarm was triggered around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, but officers at the scene did not see any signs of forced entry.

A witness reported seeing a short white male adult with short brown hair, and possibly wearing a green Carhartt-style jacket, running from the store into Hidden Valley.

Costco employees arrived back at the store and discovered that the jewelry case had been smashed. Watches, rings, and necklaces were taken from the case.


Photo provided by Juneau Police Department shows a $700 ring similar to what was taken from Costco on Sept. 17, 2014. (Click to enlarge)
Photo provided by Juneau Police Department shows a $700 ring similar to what was taken from Costco on Sept. 17, 2014. (Click to enlarge)

Juneau police are investigating the burglary and are asking for information from anyone who have may witnessed the incident or seen the stolen items.

Lt. Kris Sell wrote in a department release that officers have found a new watch that was apparently dropped by the suspect while running from the scene. The watch was found between Costco and a nearby building that houses an auto parts store and a paint store.

Sell said Juneau police received tips about watches posted for sale on the Juneau Buy-Sell-Trade Facebook page within hours of the burglary, but a detective examined the watches and determined that they were legitimately acquired and not from Costco.


Photo provided by Juneau Police Department shows a $4000 watch similar to what was taken from Costco on Sept. 17, 2014. (Click to enlarge)
Photo provided by Juneau Police Department shows a $4000 watch similar to what was taken from Costco on Sept. 17, 2014. (Click to enlarge)

You can call Juneau Police Department at 586-6000 or submit a tip to the Juneau Crime Line. Tipsters are guaranteed anonymity and are eligible for a reward up to $1000.

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications