Santa Barbara Police Investigating Violent Jewelry Store Robbery

Santa Barbara police are out in force in the downtown area investigating a robbery at a local jewelry store.

Early reports describe at least three males wearing masks entered Churchill Jewelers on the 1000 block of State Street just after 10 a.m. Friday. One suspect was breaking glass cases with a hammer while another had a gun.

It’s uncleared at this time what the suspects took from the jewelry store but Senior Reporter John Palminteri, who is on scene, described broken jewelry cases.

A “Be On The Lookout” has been issued for a black Infinity vehicle with at least three people possibly heading towards the Santa Ynez Valley. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies are assisting with that search.

Churchill Jewelers will be closed for the remainder of the day.

We will continue to update this story with the latest information as it comes into our newsroom.

UPDATE : Police say three suspects are sought in the Churchill Jewelers holdup. One suspect had a handgun, and a hammer was used to break open cases to get to high end watches.

An eyewitness said he was going inside for a watch battery when he saw the crime being committed and took off to call police. The driver of the getaway car was honking the horn for the suspect to escape and they left quickly.

Glass fragments were on the floor as police carefully went through the business taking pictures and getting information. A camera system is above the showroom. The suspects reported had masks covering their faces the entire time.

No one was hurt.

Other details of the holdup or suspect descriptions have not been released.

Slideshow: Santa Barbara Police Investigating Jewelry Store Robbery