Customer-Turned-Gunman Robs Zales Jewelers in Grossmont Center

A man posing as a customer produced a semi-automatic handgun and robbed Zales Jewelers at Grossmont Center of several pieces of jewelry Tuesday night as the store manager prepared to close up, authorities said.

La Mesa police say they responded at 8:17 p.m. to a call of a robbery at the mall, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr. No injuries were reported.

“The store’s manager advised that he had just closed the business and was locking the doors,” said a news release from the La Mesa Police Department.

“He stated there was still one customer in the store. As he approached the customer, the subject pulled out a black semi-auto handgun and pointed it at the manager.”

The gunman told the manager and one other employee to get on the ground, and took the keys to a display case from the manager. 

“He opened a display case and took several pieces of jewelry, placed them into a plastic shopping bag,” police said.  “The [robber] then opened the door and fled through the mall.”

No suspect vehicle was seen, and a search by the ASTREA helicopter couldn’t find the robber.

Police say the suspect is described as a white male 23-26 years old, 6 feet 0 to 6-2, weighing 150-160 pounds. He wore a white or gray T-shirt, and unknown color pants.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400.

One also may call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line 888-580-TIPS (sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.