Gunman strikes jewelry store

The suspect in Tuesday's armed robbery of a Stateline jewelry store is believed to be responsible for several other similar offenses in the Tahoe Basin.

"We're working with several other law enforcement agencies in the Tahoe Basin and we believe this suspect committed similar jewelry store burglaries and robberies," Douglas County Undersheriff Paul Howell said Thursday.

Authorities believe the perpetrator is responsible for a handful of other robberies and burglaries in Stateline, Incline Village and Tahoe City.

After robbing J.P. Chadom Jewelers, the gunman, described as a clean-shaven white male in his mid-20s, fled on foot with three cases containing more than 20 pieces of jewelry each, according to shop owner Joey Chacon.

The robber also took five small boxes containing individual pieces, including one ring with an Australian red pinfire opal, which retails for more than $18,000, Chacon said.

Although unsure of the exact value of the stolen merchandise, Chacon's initial estimates put the value of the jewelry at more than $200,000.

Exiting the store with the jewelry, the man fled toward the rear of the Kingsbury Station building that houses the shop, running through a breezeway before disappearing, according to an eyewitness.

The man was last seen at the corner of Deer Run Court and Market Street in Stateline, according to a press release from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Oliver's Jewelry in Round Hill was burglarized twice this month - on Aug. 14 and Aug. 17 - but neither of those thefts was as brazen as the Chadom's robbery.

The robber was described as slender, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black, long-sleeved jacket, black or dark blue baggy shorts, and tan or brown shoes, according to a press release from Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to call investigator Dennis Slater at (775) 588 -7255.