Store owners devastated at brazen jewellery heist

Owners Lianna MacFarlane and Mark Pearson are devastated following the theft of tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewellery from their Gordon Rd shop. Photo / Linda Robertson

The owners of a small independent Mosgiel business have been traumatised by the theft of thousands of dollars worth of jewellery from the store.

Downes Showcase Jewellers owners Mark Pearson and Lianna MacFarlane said they were shocked to discover the theft of tens of thousands of dollars of watches, rings and other fine jewellery from the Gordon Rd store early on Sunday.

"To have this traumatic, shocking crap happen a week before Christmas is awful, just awful," Ms MacFarlane said.

"Retail these days is hard enough. To own a business is stressful enough in itself."

The burglars smashed their way through the glass front door of the store about 4.30am on Sunday before smashing four glass cabinets with hammers and making off with their contents.

Downes Showcase Jewellers. Photo / Linda Robertson

It follows the theft of thousands of dollars of jewellery from another small independent business last month.

About 30 women's wedding and engagement rings were stolen from McAuliffe Jewellers in King Edward St during an early morning raid on November 21. The offenders in that burglary remain at large.

A police spokeswoman said detectives were investigating the latest jewellery heist.

"We are investigating the matter in an effort to establish if the two incidents are related," she said.

Mr Pearson said police told him the incidents were similar.

The violation of the theft had shattered him, especially so close to Christmas.

"I feel like putting a closing down sign out the front," he said.

"It's quite unsettling."

The store was insured and had an alarm, but the offenders carried out the "classic smash and grab", he said.

"There was glass everywhere," he said.

The offenders ran off north on Gordon Rd following the incident, he said.

There was a tenant living in the flat above the store and the burglars placed rubbish bins in the staircase to block her from coming down if she heard the alarm, Ms MacFarlane said.

Anyone with information about either burglary should contact Dunedin police.

Information can be offered anonymously using Crimestoppers.

• Dunedin police (03) 471-4800
• Crimestoppers 0800 555-111