Robber from smash-and-grab at mall used hammer to open case, threaten guard, police say

They used the same hammer to break open a jewelry case and threaten a security guard who tried to stop them from stealing several expensive rings.

Police have arrested one of the suspects from the Nov. 30 holdup, a 25-year-old man. He was charged Thursday with first-degree theft.

The second suspect has not been identified.

Charging papers give this account:

The man and a friend walked into a department store at Tacoma Mall and asked to look at rings. One of them then used a hammer to smash a display case and both suspects snatched several rings.

Ten rings worth $10,000 to $20,000 were stolen, records show.

A security guard tried to stop them but one of the suspects allegedly threatened him with a hammer and told the guard he’d shoot him.

The robbers fled, though detectives were able to get a license plate number from their getaway car thanks to surveillance video.

The getaway vehicle was registered to the 25-year-old man who is now charged.

This story was originally published January 26, 2018 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Robber from smash-and-grab at mall used hammer to open case, threaten guard, police say."