Police probe robberies of 2 jewelry salesmen

OREM — Police are investigating the theft of money and jewelry from two jewelry salesmen staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 851 W. 1250 South.

Two salesmen have been robbed there in the past three months.

The most recent theft occurred at 10:30 a.m. Thursday as a 44-year-old jewelry salesman from Greatneck, N.Y., left the hotel and walked across the parking lot toward his rental car, Orem Police Lt. Doug Edwards said.

The salesman saw a greenish-gray minivan traveling slowly, then stop in his path. A man exited the van and ordered the salesman to "let go of the bags," Edwards said.

The man, described as older than 30 and wearing a gray shirt, got away with bags containing the salesman's clothes and an undisclosed amount of checks and cash from jewelry stores.

The first theft occurred Aug. 8, and at least one man got away with $5,000-$6,000 in jewelry, Edwards said.

It was 11:30 p.m. and a 52-year-old salesman from Newport Beach, Calif., was walking toward the hotel to check in. An old maroon minivan sped toward him as he walked across the parking lot. Suddenly, a Hispanic man, about 30-40 years old, exited the sliding door and ordered the salesman to the ground, Edwards said.

He grabbed the salesman's bags with the jewelry inside, and ran to the van, which left the area.

Anyone with information asked to call Orem Police at 229-7070.