Just before the start of the holiday season, Sixth Street businesses were flustered as Pearson’s Jewelers, owned and operated by the eponymous Sherry Pearson, were targeted in a violent robbery that had fellow shop owners concerned for the longstanding jeweler.
The incident occurred early on Sept. 5, on a business day like any other. Sherry Pearson and her Yorkie dog Sofia had entered the shop and taken their usual spots behind the counter, greeting the only other employee in the store on their way in.
While engaged in their normal, day-to-day routine, trouble found the shop in the form of three men bursting in through the front door, two with guns drawn and all with faces hidden. Amidst a wave of panic and chaos, the robbers were able to make out with a case full of multicolored gemstone rings – unfortunately a best-seller this time of year.
The thieves’ assault didn’t stop at the front of the shop, however, and the men made their way to the back of the store reserved for repairs to customer’s jewelry.
The group’s violence in the store included an assault on one of the shop’s long-time employees, who had to seek medical care for trying to stop the men from making off with the jewelry. Though the register was not touched, the intruders managed to get away with a haul worth roughly $100,000, not counting a few items being held for repair — a devastating blow to both the shop’s finances and the employee’s sense of security.
Despite the undeniable shake-up the robbery left on Pearson and her employees, the store owner only took five days off before opening her doors once again. “It was a tough thing to come to terms with,” Pearson recalls, “but the letters and ‘get well soon’ cards helped. This made me realize how much I appreciate my clients; they’re my friends.”
Even though the police had told her that she had taken almost every single precaution she could have to prevent the break-in, Pearson opted to increase her security wherever she could. She had her shop fitted with a security access door just weeks after the robbery that requires customers to be buzzed in rather than allowing access to any passerby off the street.
Once again fully operational and armed with a new door for heightened security, Pearson’s Jewelers now remains open for business and is eager to get back into the regular swing of things.
Thankfully, despite the damage done to Pearson’s Jewelers and its employees, all four suspects –including the man driving the get-away car — were caught and brought into custody fairly quickly, thanks to their previous record of violent robberies as well as the ease of identification that the many cameras in the area lent to the situation.
According to additional police findings, the group had even filmed themselves while fleeing the scene, likely in a show of bravado over a successful robbery. Though these videos never surfaced on any social media (that officials found, at least), it definitely did not help the criminals’ chances of avoiding detection.
Pearson’s Jewelers is still standing proud after the tragic incident, and though the employee who tried to stop the assault is still on medical leave, Pearson has found some new hires to help out during the busy holiday season.
“It helps so much to know that we have so many friends and clients in the community,” said Pearson, taking stock of how many community members came forward in support. “Every time I get messages, I’m so thankful we made it out okay.”
Pearson and her employees were overwhelmed with support from the local community, with some fellow store owners stopping by the store directly after the robbery to make sure that everyone was doing okay.
Though police are doubtful that the stolen goods can be recovered, Pearson and her employees are just glad that the worst of the experience is behind them, and all are eager to continue holiday sales and give back to the community that supported them through this harrowing experience.
Editor’s note: As the dust of this event settles on the community, Pearson and her store stand as an example of the drive and determination that our local stores display on a daily basis. This holiday season, be sure to spare a thought and a grateful smile to those who have the strength to open their doors and their hearts every day.
