Rutland, Vermont - January 16, 2011
Rutland Police Monday were reluctant to officially release a surveillance video, broadcast on the Channel 3 morning news, of a weekend break-in at a bridal store.
Elaine Mullan's son-in-law installed two by fours after someone entered into the basement of his bridal shop, Trace of Lace, early Saturday. "He came through here, looking around apparently and then saw the jewelry in here, went through here and took bunches of necklaces," Mullan said. Mullan says the thief also took hundreds of dollars from the cash register.
According to Rutland City Police, it appears the burglar first attempted to break into a well secured jewelry store next door, and when that failed, broke into the bridal shop instead.
"Being a bridal business, we never really thought much of security because what's there to steal? and we don't do a lot of cash here -- it's more credit cards because it's higher end purchases so we never really thought much of it," said Shawn Pemrick, the store's owner.
Pemrick sent WCAX-TV the video taken by the jewelry store's surveillance camera -- which didn't capture much -- in hopes that someone might recognize the suspect. "You've got a Yankee's hat, looks like maybe a sports jacket and the old converse sneakers which are pretty unique," said Pemrick, describing the footage.
But Rutland police say they weren't ready to release the video. "Releasing a video is something -- when we want to give it out to the press is when we have a very good idea of when we know who the suspect is," said Rutland Police Officer Ted Washburn.
Though it seems the police didn't have much to go on, the tape helped Channel 3 viewers get an idea of who the suspect might be -- and they called the police. "We have had some calls already on people who are trying to help out and we'll take any lead that we can get to help in the investigation," said
Reporter Deanna LeBlanc: "Did the video help then, in being released?"
Officer Ted Washburn: "Some sorts yes, some sorts no. It's that hit or miss with the video that these may work out, they may not."
Reporter Deanna LeBlanc: "Did you have intentions of releasing it?"
Officer Ted Washburn: "This investigation is so just starting that we hadn't met with BCI or our detectives yet to go over what our strategy was going to be. Now that it's out there, we'll just have to take some different steps and go from that way."
Rutland Police are now asking anyone with information about the robbery to call them.
