West Shore RCMP says a man who allegedly stole around $20,000 in jewelry from a store in Langford has turned himself in to police.
On Dec. 9, a man entered Westshore Gold and Silver in Langford and asked to see multiple necklaces. When the salesperson turned their back, the man grabbed the necklaces and fled.
CHEK News spoke with the jewelry store owner on Dec. 10. Cory Kowalchuk, owner of Westshore Jewelry, said it was the first major theft the store experienced in his nine years operating the store.
“He looked around the store for about five, six minutes, and there was another couple shopping in the store,” Kowalchuk told CHEK News.
“He asked the young lady working to see a few necklaces, and when she turned to help the other customer next to her, he grabbed the necklaces and ran out the door.”
The alleged thief entered the store twice on the same day the robbery occurred, according to Kowalchuk.
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West Shore RCMP released images of the suspect on Dec. 12, then on Dec. 18 the suspect turned himself into police.
The 23-year-old man has been arrested for theft over $5,000 and has been released on an undertaking. The unnamed man is set to appear in court in the new year.
Police say some of the jewelry has been recovered, and the investigation is ongoing.
Laura Brougham
