Medford, Ore. — A daring theft at an unusual location has Medford police on the lookout tonight. It happened at Medford’s Costco Sunday afternoon, when a man made off with two expensive diamond rings. Police say it’s rare that the wholesale retailer is hit by a crime, and customers we spoke with are perplexed at just how the crooks pulled it off.
“I thought that was all behind glass, how did they do that?” one customer asked.
“They got cameras, and check outs and all kinds of stuff, how do they do that?”
According to Medford police, a man was looking at a $5,000 ring at the Medford Costco on sunday, when he asked the clerk if he could compare it to a $31,000 ring.
“The clerk gives him both rings,” Sgt. Brent Mak says, “at which point he grabs them, and bolts for the door at which point he jumps into a waiting car.”
Police say the people in that car were Valentino Maes, and Jimmie Tiger, both of which were arrested and charged with aggravated theft. Sgt. Mak says the individual who made off with the rings is still on the loose, but he says they know who they’re looking for. While police wouldn’t identify the suspect, they say he is from the Bay Area.
“We have great working relationships with other agencies along I-5, so somewhere in this process they’ll be identified and we’ll find them and arrest them.”
Jimmie Tiger posted bail and was released Monday morning. Maes made his first court appearance Monday afternoon, where a judge set bail at $30,000. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
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