Original story: FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Four people were bound and gagged and more than $4 million in jewelry was stolen in a home invasion and robbery that stretched from Meriden to Fairfield, police say.
Fairfield Police received a call at 10:51 p.m. Thursday from two employees of Lenox Jewelry on Black Rock Turnpike who reported that they had just been robbed, according to police reports. Investigators learned that the two had been abducted at a Meriden apartment where they had been staying, taken to Fairfield and made to reopen the store, police say.
The suspects drove from Meriden to Fairfield in a car belonging to one of the victims, which had not been recovered as of Friday morning. The car is a silver 2009 BMW 528i, with a Massachusetts license plate reading “96NV02.”
The suspects drove off with between $4 million and $5 million in merchandise, and left the two employees tied up in the store. The two were able to break free and called police immediately. No injuries were reported, police say.
One minute after their call came to Fairfield Police, Meriden dispatchers received a call from two other victims in that town, according to police reports. Those two had been at the apartment during the home invasion, and were held captive during the theft, police say.
Police believe that at least four suspects were involved in the robbery. All were wearing masks during the incidents. Investigators think the event was planned well in advance, as the suspects were in the store for approximately five minutes once they arrived at the store, according to police reports.
“It was organized,” Deputy Chief Chris Lyddy said Friday. “The people involved clearly knew what they were doing.”
Fairfield Police are working with Meriden Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies to investigate the case. Anyone with information should contact the Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840.
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