Pair Gets $300,000 in Cash, Goods from Private Jeweler

Two men wearing wigs and fake mustaches who claimed to be fire officials forced their way into the home of an independent jewelry dealer in Kensington early Wednesday and escaped with more than $300,000 in cash, gold rings, Rolex watches and semiprecious stones, a police spokesman said.

The 38-year-old man who was robbed did not want his name disclosed but said he was from Italy and has lived in his home in the 3600 block of Alexia Place for several years.

“I had a big jewelry party last night,” he said. “That’s why I had all my jewelry here.” He said he has no insurance.

He said two men rapped on his door at 8:50 a.m. and identified themselves as fire officials. When he opened the door, he said, they barged in, brandished a gun and punched him in the face.

He described one of the men as about 27, 5 feet 7 inches tall and well-built, wearing a turtleneck sweater. The other, he said, was about 40, also 5-foot-7, of medium build and wearing white tennis shoes.

He said it appeared that the men were wearing wigs and fake mustaches because, during the assault, they began slipping off the younger assailant. He said the assailants bound his arms and mouth with duct tape and then ransacked his home, finding another gun that they threatened to use on him.

San Diego police spokesman Bill Robinson said the robbers, who are still being sought, fled with a briefcase holding $300,000 worth of jewelry and $400 in cash.

“I don’t think they were from around here,” said the victim, “because, if they were, they would have hidden their faces.” He said a cut on his forehead required stitches.