Window smashed, jewelry stolen

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Moody Stinson, who has operated Diamond Jewelry on Main Street for 44 years, stands by the window which was smashed by thieves Sunday morning. The window was replaced Monday. (James Clark photo)

A downtown jeweler is out $20,000 in uninsured jewelry after thieves smashed through his front window early Sunday morning and took 40 rings.

“This is the 11th time they’ve tried, and this time they were able to get in,” said Diamond Jewelry owner Moody Stinson, who has run the jewelry store for 44 years on Main Street next to the Park Theater. “There is a special restraint glass in the display window and in the past they’ve tried to smash it with concrete blocks. This time they must have used a pick or something sharp.”

Stinson said he answered the store alarm around 5:30 a.m. Sunday and arrived to find the display case window had been smashed. Four trays, each holding 10 rings, were missing.

“They were good items. You want to put good items out there so people can see them when they walk by,” Stinson said. “I figure this was the same bunch who has tried before, but this time they knew what they were doing.”

The fact the restraint glass was penetrated for the first time concerns Stinson, who says he will now be forced to remove his display when closing for the evening.

“The window display sells a lot because people will walk by and see it and then maybe come back later and ask to look at them,” Stinson said. “Moving the display will hurt sales I’m sure, but I really have no choice now.”

As for the lost jewels, Stinson hopes police will get a break in the case since he is out the entire amount.

“Insurance is just too expensive,” Stinson said, noting insurance for his jewelry would run between $5,000 and $10,000 per year.

Lawmen are asking anyone with any information on the crime, or anyone who may have been downtown during the early morning hours Sunday, to contact them at 473-3386.

Police also warn it is a crime to possess any of the stolen pieces of jewelry. Anyone who has purchased a suspicious ring since Sunday should also contact police to ensure they will not be prosecuted for possessing stolen goods.