Essex, Vermont- A local jeweler is trying to figure out how to make up for the loss, that's because he was robbed right before Valentine's Day and he warns women should be on the lookout for the stolen merchandise this Valentine's Day.
After 27 years of business in Essex, Steve Shover, owner of Essex Engraving Bench and Fine Gifts store, has never been victim to a robber, until now.
"Sad, it's very sad. What is our society coming to?" asks Shover.
Shover first noticed the front door was shattered when he arrived for work Monday, "I noticed the bottom of the glass on the door was completely smashed in."
Shover took photos of the extensive the damage to his, Essex Engraving Bench and Fine Gifts store, but he says the damage doesn't compare to what was stolen.
"A couple of dozen of ladies watches, every watch in there (middle glass case) was gone. On the jewelry side it was like a smash and grab. I don't think they were in here more than 5 minutes," said Shover.
Diamond rings are missing and even the cash drawer is gone, which leads Shover to believe the thief has been in the store before, "How would they know where the cash drawer was and that it's not a cash register that its hooked up to the computer?"
The robber smashed several glass cases like this one here but they did leave one key piece of evidence behind.
"It looked like a flashlight that they left on the floor and I think they used that to smash the glass," said Shover.
Worse than the damage and stolen items, Shover says he feels like he's been violated by someone in the community, "For something like this to happen you feel like you got punched in the gut."
Although, the owner's not sure what the robbers plan to do with the jewelry, he wants to warn ladies that there are several stolen Citizen brand watches floating around the area.
If you have any information on this robbery, call the Essex Police Department.
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