NEW: Another smash-and-grab robbery at luxury watch store in Pentagon City mall
One month later, it happened again.
The Tourneau luxury watch store at the Pentagon City mall is the scene of another dramatic smash-and-grab robbery involving a group of thieves armed with a hammer and fire extinguishers. It follows a nearly identical robbery on Sept. 1 that prompted ultimately unfounded fears of an active shooter and an evacuation of the mall.
The latest incident happened around 5:40 p.m. today (Saturday). A police officer who was in the mall at the time reported hearing loud noises inside, prompting a large law enforcement response.
"Not sure if it's shots fired or not," the officer said on Arlington's police dispatch radio channel. "I think it's going to be Tourneau, it's the same thing — we have all the smoke up here."
By the time the officer reached the store a minute later, the suspects had reportedly already fled in a black BMW. Video posted to social media showed a large amount of broken glass, smoke from the fire extinguishers and what appeared to be a large sledgehammer were left behind.
Medics were later dispatched for a reported minor injury at the watch store, though it's unclear if it was directly related to the robbery.
"ACPD responded to the report of shots heard in the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street at approximately 5:40 p.m.," Arlington County police said on social media . "The investigation determined no shooting occurred. The incident is a robbery in which 4-5 suspects broke a glass display case with a hammer and deployed a fire extinguisher. No injuries reported."
"Police remain on scene investigating and there is no indication of an ongoing threat," police said. "Anyone with information is asked to call ACPD's Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] ."
