Three jewelry stores in Rockford, IL, were burglarized in the space of 30 minutes.
The break-ins happened at Gruno’s Diamonds, Zavius Jewelers and Jewelry by Christopher between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. Saturday, the Rockford Register Star reports. Police say the burglaries were all likely connected.
Christopher Cole, owner of Jewelry by Christopher, said it’s the first time his store has been burglarized. He wouldn’t say what was taken or how much it was worth, but said the crime was “devastating.”
“You feel violated,” he said.
Brent Meade, owner of Gruno’s, said the break-in was the second to occur at his store in four months. The culprits broke the glass doors but didn’t make it past an iron gate, and no merchandise was taken.
Still, crimes like this take their toll, Meade said.
“People want to work in a safe place,” he said. “They want to live in a safe community. You can’t put a dollar amount on everything.”
Read more at the Rockford Register Star.