SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The gunman who robbed a Stateline jewelry store on Tuesday may be responsible for other similar offenses in the Lake Tahoe Basin, authorities said.
"We're working with several other law enforcement agencies in the Tahoe Basin and we believe this suspect committed similar jewelry store burglaries and robberies," Douglas County Undersheriff Paul Howell said Thursday.
Authorities believe the perpetrator is responsible for a handful of other robberies and burglaries in Stateline, Incline Village and Tahoe City.
On Aug. 24, a man wearing a ski mask approached Steve Schmier's Jewelry in Tahoe City at about 9:10 a.m., according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office. But the store had not yet opened and the door was locked, so the clerk ducked behind the counter and called 911, authorities said. The man fled and remained at large on Thursday in what authorities are calling an attempted robbery case.
In Tuesday's robbery, a masked gunman entered J.P. Chadom Jewelers at about 11:30 a.m. and pointed a gun in the face of one of the employees, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
The gunman fled on foot with three cases containing more than 20 pieces of jewelry each, according to shop owner Joey Chacon.
The robber was described as slender, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black, long-sleeved jacket, black or dark blue baggy shorts, and tan or brown shoes, according to a press release from Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to call Douglas County Sheriff's Detective Dennis Slater at (775) 586-7255.