Update at 6:50 p.m.
State College Police released photos taken from security cameras and more detailed descriptions of the three men who robbed Kranich’s Jewelers, 216 E. College Ave., at gunpoint on Wednesday morning.
The police’s descriptions are as follows:
Suspect No. 1 is about 5-foot-8 and approximately 180 pounds. He was wearing a navy blue running suit and grey hoodie. He has a round face with a full, stubbly beard, is missing a tooth, and has lighter skin than the other two men, police said. He was armed with a long barrel silver handgun that appeared to be a revolver.
Suspect No. 2 is about 5-foot-8, was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, shiny black shoes and a dark ball cap. He has a deep voice and had his face covered with a gaiter of some sort. Suspect No. 2 had a silver colored revolver, too, and carried a black Reebok bag, police said.
Suspect No. 3 is dark skinned, about 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-1 with a large build. He was wearing a blue or black waist-length jacket with a hood. He was also wearing a beanie cap with a logo and had his face covered. The majority of merchandise was carried out by Suspect No. 3 in a large, blue or black duffle bag with a Mercedes-type logo on the side, police said.
Suspect No. 1 referred to another suspect as “Big.”
Police have posted photos on the Borough website and are asking for the public’s help to identify the men.
Anyone who may have information involving this incident is asked to contact the State College Police at 814-234-7150. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the State College Borough website.
Updated at 3:28 p.m.
State College Police said no one was harmed during an armed robbery of Kranich’s Jewelers, 216 E. College Ave., on Wednesday, but a gun was held to one employee’s head and others were placed on the floor while display cases were entered.
At least two of the three perpetrators were armed, police said. Police responded to a call from Kranich’s at 10:24 a.m. Wednesday, arriving to find the suspects had fled the scene. They left with an undisclosed amount of jewelry from the store as well as a ring, watch, and wallet of one employee.
They were last seen walking south in the narrow walkway between Kranich’s Jewelry and the Tavern Restaurant. The walkway exits onto East Calder Way, police said.
Employees described the men to police as black males wearing dark clothing and carrying backpacks entered the store. The first suspect displayed a handgun and demanded the display case keys. The two additional suspects entered the store and aided in the robbery, police said.
At least one suspect had facial hair that was visible through his mask, police said. No description of the mask is available.
Further details will be released as they become available to police.
Posted at 11:43 a.m.
A downtown jeweler was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday morning, and police are still searching for the suspects.
An armed robbery occurred around 10:20 a.m. at Kranich’s Jewelers, 216 E. College Ave., according to State College Police. No one was injured in the incident.
Suspects have been described as three black males wearing black hoodies, one carrying a black duffel bag. One suspect brandished a silver pistol. No details on their whereabouts are known at this time.
The suspects are considered armed and dangerous.
Charles Kranich, the store owner, said the three men entered the store and held a gun to an employee’s head and took “a significant amount of merchandise,” though he could not be specific.
“The only important thing is that everyone was safe, which they are,” Kranich said.
Emergency procedures were followed ‘perfectly’, Kranich said, and the police will have more details as they become available, and may even release photos of the men without their masks on.
“They were in a hurry,” Kranich said. Jewelry store owners across the state of Pennsylvania have been on high alert because of a recent string of armed robberies at such retailers, he said.
State College Police are handling the incident; anyone with information should call the borough police at 814-234-7150.
