The theft happened Tuesday at the Diamond & Jewelry Gallery in the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center.
SAN ANTONIO — A northwest-side San Antonio jewelry store is asking for the public’s help to catch a man accused of stealing a $20,000 Rolex watch.
The alleged theft happened Tuesday at the Diamond & Jewelry Gallery in the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center.
Store employee Andrew Santonastaso said the suspect came in with several Pandora gold bracelets he said he was hoping to sell.
“Within giving him an offer, he wanted to try on one of our Daytonas,” Santonastaso said. “He tried on the Daytona. He was asking a lot of questions, kind of trying to distract us.”
Santonastaso said the man even took the cushion that came with the watch without anyone noticing. After declining the store’s offer for the bracelets, the man made his move.
“He pretended like he was in a hurry and left the store with the Daytona,” Santonastaso said.
At the time, staff didn’t realize the watch was still on his wrist.
“It hit us when we got a customer later on and he was looking for that same watch,” Santonastaso said.
Santonastaso contacted police, who are now searching for the suspect. He said he worries the thief may target other businesses.
“More than likely, he’s going to try and hit other stores,” he said.
The store is urging anyone who recognizes the man to contact police or submit a tip online.
“Not everyone is like that — there are still a lot of good people out there — but unfortunately, there are people like him,” Santonastaso said.