Tulsa Police Believe Walmart, JCPenney Jewelry Thefts Connected

The search is on for a group of thieves who smashed JCPenney jewelry cases Monday night at Promenade Mall while people shopped.

It's the second violent smash and grab in a Tulsa store within a week and police said the cases are likely connected.

It was around 9:00 Monday night when thieves ran out of the JCPenney with jewelry to a getaway car in the parking lot.

Five days ago, a similar crime was committed at Walmart, a few miles away. Officers believe the same men are likely responsible.

Using their fists, three men smashed jewelry cases and grabbed everything they could as shoppers watched at JCPenney.

4/28/2015 Related Story: Brazen Jewelry Heist At Tulsa Mall

Mall Manager Tina Crosley, said the crooks went inside around the same time security guards were getting ready to close down the mall.

"They were not here to shop they were here to get something. They got in and got out. It was very, very quick," Crosley said. "Our officers are very diligent about checking the doors and things but you have to be conscious, you have shoppers coming in and getting last minute items."

Crosley couldn't say what jewelry was taken or how much it was worth, but said she feels fortunate no employees or shoppers were hurt.

“This is a very rare event, very rare, and unfortunately a very violent act of thievery," she said.

Five days before the Monday night theft, a similar crime happened at the Walmart near 71st and Memorial.

Police said two men broke the glass in jewelry cases and stole almost $20,000 worth of jewelry.

Officers said the men drove a late 90s to early 2000s sedan that is possibly tan.

The crooks at Promenade Mall were seen driving away in a different getaway car, a black Chevy Tahoe.

Officers have a very generic description of the three men who stole from JCPenney, but Crosley is confident they will be caught soon.

"We want the shoppers to feel safe, we want our retailers to feel safe,” she said.

Police will release the surveillance video as soon as they can.