Police: Pair on motorcycle behind jewelry store smash and grab

MORGANTON, N.C. — Police are looking for two people who they said ran into a Morganton jewelry store early Tuesday morning, smashed display cases and stole merchandise before jumping onto a motorcycle and speeding away.

Police told Channel 9 that the thieves hit Gregory Jewelers just before 9 a.m., shortly after they opened.

The pair went after diamonds and smashed display cases with a hammer to get to them, officers said.

The men were in the store for less than 40 seconds, stealing mostly diamonds.

In the surveillance video, the men can be seen moving quickly through the store, smashing two display cases.

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty will have more on the investigation on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m.

Investigators said they never took off their helmets, grabbing what they could before running out the front of the business.

The motorcycle they fled on is mostly black, with some red on it.

As they sped off, the pair nearly hit two women out walking their dogs in downtown Morganton.

The owner of the store allowed Channel 9 inside where reporter Dave Faherty spoke with one manager who came face to face with the men, and considered trying to stop them.

But that's when one of the suspects explained it wouldn’t be a good idea.

"One guy kept saying, 'It's not worth it, they have insurance, don't come any closer,'" said Darwin Wilder.

Investigators have been in close contact with other agencies looking to see if they have any similar cases.

Anyone with any information should call Morganton public safety.

Channel 9's Dave Faherty was the first reporter on the scene, follow him on Twitter for updates.

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