Jewelry thieves hit two stores inside Belden Village Mall during early-morning heist

Robert Wang, Canton Repository
Updated ·2 min read
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JACKSON TWP. − Thieves got inside Belden Village Mall early Friday morning before it opened, stole merchandise from two stores and fled before police arrived, police said.

An alarm at Kay Jewelers in the mall on Belden Village Street NW triggered around 4:08 a.m., according to a statement issued by Jackson Township police.

When officers arrived, they found that the intruder or intruders had broken into the Kay Jewelers and Zales and stolen an unknown amount of jewelry or other items from both stores sometime since 3:45 a.m., according to the police report.

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The report says police recovered a mallet with a wooden handle and black metal head.

Police Chief Mark Brink said someone had smashed glass. It wasn't clear whether he meant glass windows or glass cases. He said as of late Friday morning, police had not yet made any arrests.

The police's statement asked anyone who may have seen what had happened at the mall this morning or has any information to contact Jackson Township Police Det. Brandon Alger at (330) 830-6264 or leave an anonymous tip at (330) 834-3967.

Mike Walsh, the senior general manager of Belden Village Mall issued this statement late Friday afternoon: "We would like to thank the Jackson Township Police Department for their quick response to the incident that happened overnight. This matter is currently under investigation."

Walsh referred questions to Chief Brink.

An employee at Kay Jeweler's at Belden Village Mall said the store's general manager was busy with a customer. When asked about the burglary, she declined comment and referred questions to the "home office."

A phone call to Zales' Belden Village location was not answered and led to an automated system that did not accept messages.

A spokeswoman for Signet Jewelers, the Akron-based parent company of Kay Jewelers and Zales, in an email wrote, "we can’t comment on the incident as it is an ongoing legal matter. I would refer you to law enforcement for further information."

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Thieves hit Belden Village Mall jewelry stores in early-morning heist