Employee fires shots during robbery attempt at jewelry store in downtown Palm Springs
Police are searching for suspects in a robbery attempt at a downtown Palm Springs jewelry store where an employee fired gunshots Tuesday afternoon.
The robbery happened at the Gold Estate Jewelry on S Palm Canyon and Arenas Road at around 3:05 p.m., according to Lieutenant William Hutchinson of the Palm Springs Police Department.
Hutchinson told News Channel 3 that two male suspects entered the store with hammers. It's unclear if anything was taken. Our crews at the scene saw the glass at the front of the store is broken out.
Shots were fired, but it was initially unclear who fired the shots, Hutchinson said.
Police later confirmed that shots were fired inside by an employee and the circumstances surrounding what led to the shooting are still under investigation
There were no injuries in the shooting.
The suspects ran away on foot and it’s unknown at this time whether or not they got away with any valuables, police said.
PSPD flew a drone over the area of downtown trying to locate the suspects. They are also checking area cameras for clues.
If you have any additional information, PSPD asks that you please come forward. You can reach out directly to the PSPD Investigations Division at (760) 323-8121, or share any anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at (760) 347-7867.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
This is not the first smash-and-grab attempt in the Coachella Valley within the past month.
On July 25, a brazen theft at a jewelry store inside the Palm Desert mall led to a brief lockdown and heavy police presence at the mall.
