March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

`Smash and grab’ thieves rob Lincoln jewelry store

LINCOLN — Police on Sunday continued to investigate a “smash and grab” robbery in which $15,000 in assorted jewelry was stolen from J.K. Vose Fine Jewelers, on Main Street in Lincoln.

Officer Larry Hesseltine said that owners Kathy and Jesse Wilson estimated that $15,000 in items such as men’s and women’s Citizen brand watches, 14-carat gold chains, wedding bands, men’s diamond rings, tie tacks, and diamond earrings had been stolen.

Police that said the store’s security alarm went off at 3:42 a.m. Saturday and the security firm called police at 3:46 p.m. Two minutes later, when Hesseltine arrived at the front of the Main Street store, he found the bottom half of the glass door smashed and saw snowy tracks leading into the store.

The officer said a safe was not touched, but four large, glass showcases were smashed. Hesseltine, who was assisted by Lincoln Officer Mike Knights, said he believed that more than one individual was involved in the robbery. “They knew what they were doing,” he said.

Trooper Eugene Sutton of Sebec and his German shepherd police dog named Riley were called. Riley tracked from the store’s front door a short distance up the street and down an alley, located between Sproul’s Radio Shack Store and the 13th District Court building. Hesseltine said that Riley went to the rear of the jewelry store and stopped at some tracks left near a vehicle.

Inside the store, bits of wood were found near the front door and inside the shattered display cases. Police said they thought a wooden object was used to gain entrance. Police dusted the display cases for fingerprints.

Hesseltine and the Wilsons said it was not unusual for the security alarm to go off. Kathy Wilson said a Christmas bow fluttering to the floor would set the alarm off. But when she arrived at her store early Saturday morning, she was surprised to learn it had been robbed.

The store was closed Saturday. A sign in the window read, “Closed due to robbery.” The Wilsons plan to reopen on Monday, and said that valuables left by customers had not been disturbed. The Wilsons commended the police for their quick response to the alarm.

The year 1992 marks the 40th year J.K. Vose has been in business. James Vose, the former owner who retired last year, had been in business in Lincoln for 37 years and operated at the 60 Main St. location for 34 years.


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