Calabasas Polachek’s robbed

Three armed and masked men held up Polacheck’s Jewelers at the Calabasas Commons during a late morning robbery on Wed., Sept 28, police said.

Although no customers were in the jewelry store, it was open for business and five employees were inside at the time of the burglary.

The men, described by witnesses as young black males, were accompanied by a driver who stayed in a gateway car. They entered the store with pistols in one hand and hammers in the other, said Lt. Steve Wilson of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s station. The suspects smashed jewelry counters and stole a variety of jewelry, Wilson said. Polacheck’s would not comment on the worth of the jewelry stolen or costs of damages to the store. Sgt. Tim Youngern said the store reported a “high dollar loss,” but wouldn’t give a specific amount. Polacheck’s specializes in fine jewelery and high-end men’s and women’s watches.

While the men escaped, a shopping center security guard managed to fire two shots at the car, Wilson said. Authorities don’t know if any of the suspects were hit during the incident.

Youngern said the getaway vehicle was found abandoned near the store shortly after the crime. The investigation is ongoing and no suspects have been arrested, police said.

Polacheck’s Jewelers, which opened in Calabasas in 1998, also has stores in Sherman Oaks and Thousand Oaks.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mark Borges of the Lost Hills station at (818) 878-1808.

—Sylvie Belmond and Dan Wolowicz