New Sheriff's Report on Jewelry Store Robbery

   Yesterday, after receiving the official report from the Sheriff's Office regarding the robbery at the Firefall Jewelers in Copper Towne Square,
we spoke with one witness who felt there was more scare from the police than from the robbers.

   We sent an email to the Sheriff asking if  the Sheriff's Office had perhaps done a little overkill on the incident. We just now got this new official report, apparently as a reply:

    On January 31, 2013 at approximately 2:30 PM Calaveras County Sheriff's deputies, detectives and Angels Camp Police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Firefall Jewelry located in the Copper Town Square in Copperopolis.

    Accoring to the store clerk, the suspect walked into the store and displayed a round object, stating that is was a hand grenade.

    The suspect also told the clerk that he had an accomplice outside on a roof with a "high powered rifle".

    Furthermore, the suspect declared tha he had a package that he would leave behind the building, indicating that it possibly contained an explosive device.

    After stealing a significant amount of jewelry, he walked out of and away from the store.  A witness who was interviewed during the investigation confirmed that they had seen a man matching the suspect's description place the package on the ground behind the building.

    The Calaveras Sheriff's EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Unit was called to the scene.  They examined the package and rendered it safe.

    The package did not contain explosives.   The Calaveras Sheriff's detectives are actively investigating this crime.

    They are looking for the suspect, who is described as a Caucasian adult male with a bruised eye, 5'10" in height, brown hair, medium build, and approximately 30 years of age.

    He was last seen wearing a red hat and a black sweat-type jacket.  Detectives also believe the supect possibly fled the area in a teal or dark green color Ford Ranger step-side truck.

    The loss to Firefall Jewery is only being described as "significant" at this time.

    If you should have any information to aid in this investigation the Sheriff's Office asks that you call 209-754-6500 or the anonymous tip line at 209-754-6030.