Jeweler Suffers ‘Life-Threatening Injuries’ in Attempt to Catch Thief

The thief took jewelry worth close to $25,000.

A Florida jewelry store employee was hurt doing something that police advise against: trying to chase down a thief. Jean Celestin of Mirage Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in Brandon, FL, was critically injured in the incident last week, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Police say a man tried on a necklace in the store, which is located in a mall, and ran out. He allegedly took both that necklace and a bracelet — jewelry worth nearly $25,000. Celestin gave chase, and when the man got in a car, Celestin leaped onto the hood. Celestin was soon thrown off, and he was hospitalized “with what deputies said were life-threatening injuries,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. The suspect was still at large.

Read more at the Tampa Bay Times