Suspects in Dearborn jewelry store robbery may be linked to robberies in two other states, feds say

(CBS DETROIT) – The FBI is looking for what they’re calling an armed robbery crew that allegedly hit at least four jewelry stores in three states in the past year.

“They told us, ‘Don’t move. I’m going to shoot you,” said Ali Alasadi, the owner of the Mariam Jewelry store.

In August, Alasadi’s shop was robbed by two people wearing masks. The two entered the store with guns and within seconds filled a bag.

“They wear like Halloween-style masks and come into the store with guns drawn,” said Christopher Hess, the FBI assistant special agent in charge.

Alasadi and his family ran to get their guns and shoot the suspects. He tells CBS News Detroit that the thieves almost made off with more than $250,000 worth of jewelry.

“He (one of the robbers) jumped down from here. When he jumped, the gold was all over the ground,” he said.

The FBI believes the suspects are part of a larger ring accused of similar crimes in Illinois and Missouri.

“We have to consider them armed and dangerous,” Hess said.

In the Dearborn robbery, police arrested one of the masked suspects. Authorities believe the crew may be covering businesses before striking.

“There may be other individuals helping them externally or after the fact,” Hess said.

Since the incident, the Alasadi jewelery store has spent thousands to beef up security.

“It’s very scary for the family; we don’t know if they know anything about us like home addresses,” Alasadi said.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Terrell Bailey

A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Terell has had a passion for broadcast journalism since childhood. Growing up, throughout school he was known for doing the “morning announcements”. Fitting that he became a TV journalist, right?