Armed jewelry store heist in Chinatown under investigation: police

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating after they say a jewelry store heist occurred in Center City near Chinatown Wednesday afternoon. 

According to police, at around 3 p.m., officers responded to a robbery report on the 900 block of Arch Street. 

Upon arrival, the victim said an unidentified man entered the jewelry store, approached the rear glass case containing 24-carat jewelry, produced a black firearm, and demanded not to call the police. 

Police say according to the victim, the suspect then pulled out an object, believed to be a hammer, from a bag, smashed the glass case, and took four trays of jewelry. 

The suspect fled the scene on foot, heading westbound on Arch Street towards 10th Street.

The investigation is ongoing.

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