Jewelry store burglarized in July reopens Thursday [Ocala Star-Banner, Fla.]

Oct. 23--OCALA -- A State Road 200 jewelry store that has been closed since a burglary occurred there July 30 will reopen Thursday.

Jeff and Jody Saulnier, owners of J&J Jewelers at 6160 SW SR 200, Suite 104, in the Jasmine Square Plaza, said they will host a special event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., which they said would be "a musical, festive celebration for the community."

"It's to thank all those who have supported us during our difficult time," Jeff Saulnier said.

Saulnier, a third-generation jeweler, went to open the store the morning of July 30 and saw that the front window was fogged over, which was unusual. He opened the door and went to the back of the building and noticed "things were not right" and called 911.

Missing from the store were the couple's inventory, along with items belonging to customers, all valued at approximately $150,000. Documents kept with the customers' jewelry, which contained their contact information, also were missing.

At the time, detectives said the incident was possibly related to other burglaries statewide, but would not give additional details. Detectives said Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing.

Jeff Saulnier said it was the first time in his many years of being in the business that something like that had ever happened. Since the burglary, he said, they have been working with the insurance company and working to contact customers and inform them about their loss.

Saulnier said they will continue to sell and repair jewelry, and plan to introduce a new line of fashion and custom jewelry.

Anyone with information about the burglary can call Detective Craig Evans at 402-6081 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, visit www.ocalacrimestopeprs.com or text a tip to 274637 using the keyword 368STOP.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or [email protected].

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