South Simcoe Police are hoping the power of social media can help identify two suspects wanted for a well-orchestrated, 'professional' theft.
A man and a woman are alleged to have stolen $10,000 worth of jewellery from Roadshow's 400 Antiques Mall in Innisfil.
"We're going to cast out a net a little bit wider and a little bit further. There's such a great network out there that is available to police now through social media and other police agencies. We're very optimistic that we're going to identify the people involved," said South Simcoe Police Sgt. Todd Ferrier.
A couple arrived at the store around 11 a.m. Friday morning and picked out expensive jewellery along with some cheaper items, according to store owner Henry Jones.
Jones said they requested the expensive jewellery — rings, bracelets and a gold watch — to be wrapped in a package separate from the other items.
"They flashed over $5,000, asking what the bill would be. Staff counted the money but the bill came to over $10,000. They said, 'Oh we don't have enough money. We need to go to the bank. We'll be back in an hour. Save these items for us.'"
The woman picked up the packages to place them in a store bag for safekeeping until their return.
"Little did we know she had (allegedly) slipped one of the packages either into her hand bag or up her sleeve and then they nonchalantly walked away smiling at the cameras," said Jones. "They know they're probably not going to be prosecuted. The gold has probably already gone out of the country by now."
The store owner and police suspect the thieves likely cased the store prior to the crime to know which jewellery to select.
After an hour had passed, Jones asked his staff to ensure all the jewellery was still in the store.
That's when they discovered the package with the expensive jewellery was missing.
"She's almost like a magician with slight of hand. Very, very professional. Very well done. Me being in business for 22 years and in this business for over 30 years, it's the first time I've seen this trick done," said Jones.
"We counted the money out and they had lots of moolah on them. We said why don't you leave this as a deposit and of course they said 'No, no we'll be back in an hour. Don't worry. We love the stuff.'"
Sgt. Ferrier says the service is determined to catch the culprits.
Because the man and woman didn't try to hide their identity, police doubt the they are from this area.
"It absolutely looks like they're professional," said Ferrier. "They were very smooth. Did an excellent job of the distracting of the employees in an effort to make this theft go undetected originally."
Recovering the jewellery might be a different story with pawn shops and how it can be melted down, Ferrier said.
Last fall, Jones' store Roadshow Antiques Pickering had more than $50,000 worth of jewellery stolen during a break-in.
The surveillance video painted a shocking picture of that crime
"It was almost like a military operation. We had two guys who had ski suits on, white, so it reflects back from the cameras so you can't see them. They had hoods on. Night goggles. Lamps on their hats. They knew exactly which showcases to go for. Smashed the showcases, snatched all the jewellery in 11 seconds. It was unbelievable."
There have been no arrests in that case and Jones is skeptical of the police response.
"I've been in this business for 22 years I've never seen one prosecution. Very upset with the system," said Jones.
The wanted man and woman were driving a dark coloured van.
The male suspect is described white, 5'9", heavy set, clean shaven, in his late 40's wearing a black coat, tan pants and a black flat cap.
The female suspect is described a white, 5'2", heavy set.
Anyone with information should contact South Simcoe Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
