Murrieta Market Smash-And-Grab May Be Linked To Lake Elsinore Robbery

MURRIETA, CA — Two recent smash-and-grab robberies at southwest Riverside County Cardenas Market jewelry counters may be linked to a rash of robberies targeting the chain across the Inland Empire, officials say. Storefronts in Murrieta and Lake Elsinore, both targeted in August, join at least two other robberies across the Inland Empire since June.

No suspects have been identified in either robbery, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Edward Soto.

Robbers ransacked the Cardenas Market jewelry counter in Lake Elsinore, in the 31900 block of Mission Trail at Diamond Drive, on Aug. 23 in the middle of the afternoon. Three hoodie-wearing men broke apart the market’s jewelry cases, stealing the contents inside, according to Soto.

“The suspects used hammers or similar objects to break the glass prior to taking the items,” Soto said.

Though shoppers reported hearing “loud bangs” inside the market, there were no shots fired and no guns were seen, according to Soto. The precise value of the stolen jewelry was not disclosed and deputies are still investigating the incident. The suspects fled the scene in a silver sedan, Soto said.

During their investigation, deputies learned of a similar smash-and-grab robbery at the privately owned counter inside Cardenas Market in Murrieta two days before. Flore’s Jewelry counter, located inside the market in the 25300 block of Madison Avenue, was struck in the middle of the afternoon, in a similar manner to the Lake Elsinore incident, using sledgehammers, according to reports.

The jewelry cases were “extensively damaged, and the shop was shut down for a few days,” a store worker said. That jewelry counter has since reopened for business and the value of the merchandise taken was not revealed during the ongoing investigation.

The Murrieta Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department have communicated with each other about the incidents, according to Soto.

Both robberies mirror earlier events at Cardenas Markets across the Inland Empire, NBC Los Angeles reported, including Fontana and Riverside.

The first of the jewelry counter robberies occurred on June 6 at Lupita’s Jewelers inside the Fontana Cardenas Market in the 16700 block of Valley Boulevard. A shopper recorded two hoodie-wearing suspects armed with hammers as they destroyed the shop’s glass jewelry case, removing approximately $100,000 worth of jewelry, according to a recent report from NBC Los Angeles.

The suspects were seen driving away in both a gray Honda Civic and a gray Dodge Ram, according to reports.

Days later, another Cardenas Market jewelry counter was robbed in Riverside, according to the NBC report. Riverside Police Officer Javier Cabrera added that if witnesses can safely capture a photo of the getaway car, including the license plate, it would also be beneficial in helping solve the case.

Police have warned customers and staff not to intervene if they witness a robbery. Instead, take photos or video at the scene, as long as it can be safely done.

So far, no suspects have been identified or captured in relation to the multiple robberies. Cardenas Market has not responded to requests for comment.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lake Elsinore Station at 951-245-3300.