Burglars Breach Roof, Torch Safes In Glendale Jewelry Store Ransacking

GLENDALE, CA — A bomb squad was called in as part of the police response to a jewelry store that had been ransacked overnight this week, according to the Glendale Police Department.

The owner of Bidrussian Jewelry, located at Glendale Avenue and Chevy Chase Drive, called police Tuesday morning to report that he arrived to the store to find the interior lights on, despite having secured the store the night before, police said.

"Upon entry into the business, officers found the store severely damaged and ransacked. They immediately detected a strong odor of gunpowder and burnt material inside the business. Investigators also observed a large hole in the ceiling of a back room, believed to be the point of entry," police said.

The Glendale Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad responded "out of an abundance of caution" to ensure there was no active threat of explosives or fire, police said.

Authorities determined one or more safes inside the business had been breached using a torch, which likely lit a small fire inside the store, police said.

"At this time, the incident is being investigated as an isolated burglary. The total loss of jewelry is currently unknown. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing," police said.