Brazen Robbers End Up With Nothing From Jewelry Store

DENVER (CBS4) - The search is on for two brazen robbers. They walked into a Denver jewelry store and demanded diamonds and cash with guns pointed at the store owner's head.

The thieves escaped empty handed after picking the wrong time and the wrong store.

Two Saturdays ago the jewelry store owner showed CBS4 how it took them only 16 seconds after his son left to rush in with guns drawn. They barged in with pistols pointed at his head.

Jeweler Len Larson admits a mistake. He failed to lock the door at closing, right after his son left.

"They obviously are very brazen. It wasn't dark when they came in, they're not afraid to pull their guns, they're probably not afraid to injure somebody," Larson said.

Once inside the two forced Larson to the floor.

"Tore the top button off my shirt, by golly," Larson said.

They demanded to see the pricier merchandise.

"They were saying, 'We want your jewelry, diamonds and cash.' "

But there was no physical way for Larson to give up the goods.

"I told them that my safe in the back are on a time lock, I can't open it up," Larson said. "They didn't believe me … I'm focused on how am i going to get out of this deal alive."

Larson told them he had some merchandise in another safe, near the back of the store. That gave him the chance to run outside, they chased him, but then ran away empty handed.

Larson said his attackers were both African-American. One suspect is about 5-foot-10, husky build, and was carrying a chrome colored .40 or .45 caliber gun. The other suspect is 6 feet tall, thin, and was holding a .22 caliber gun.

"I want these fellas caught before they actually do hurt somebody."

Larson said the would-be robbers left in a large, dark blue, late 1990s, General Motors model 4-door car.