Shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday morning, an alarm was activated at the Tamarack Mall in Cranbrook. RCMP attended and found that People's Jewelers located inside the mall had been broken into.

Initially security was contacted about the alarm, they noticed damage to the mall doors and contacted police. Police were on scene within a very short time but the suspects had departed. A police service dog was also deployed in the area but no suspects were located.

Upon review of the video surveillance police noted three male subjects entered the store and removed $140,000 worth of jewelry in three and a half minutes.

Police were conducting extensive follow-up Thursday in an attempt to identify the subjects responsible.

Also Thursday, RCMP issued a press release concerning a rash of business break-ins in Cranbrook. "Since March of 2012, the business owners in Cranbrook have been targeted by unknown persons breaking into their establishments," the release said. "Although the methods of entering the businesses have varied, the consistent target has been cash."

The Cranbrook RCMP has dedicated the resources of the General Investigation Section (GIS) section to identify and charge the person or persons responsible.

It is believed that there is knowledge in the community as to who the perpetrators(s) are in these crimes and ask that they call the Cranbrook RCMP or Crimestoppers, the release said.

Crimestoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of these persons.

If you have any information please contact the Cranbrook RCMP (250 489-3471) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).