Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers $2,500 after Tigard gold jewelry robbery

A Saturday evening robbery at Kay Jewelers in Washington Square Mall is now being treated as more than a theft case: the Jewelers’ Security Alliance has put up to $2,500 on the table for tips after what it called an especially dangerous attack on a gold jewelry case.

Around 6:08 p.m. on April 4, two men wearing masks and gloves walked into the store at 9312 SW Washington Square Road in Tigard, Oregon, carrying a handgun and a hammer. Tigard police said one suspect pointed the gun at people inside while the other smashed a gold jewelry showcase, then loaded the merchandise into a black bag. No shots were fired and no one was injured, but witnesses initially mistook the sound of breaking glass for gunfire.

The getaway turned the robbery into a wider public-safety scare. Police said the suspects fled in a black Honda Accord, and the driver struck other cars, causing minor property damage. Officers from neighboring jurisdictions pursued the vehicle before the chase ended when it crossed into Washington state. Detectives are now asking for cell phone video or dashcam footage that could help identify the men.

For shoppers, the incident underscores why gold jewelry has become a hotter target as prices stay elevated. The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has warned that criminals are increasingly drawn to gold pieces because of their resale value, making store-floor security part of the shopping experience itself. In a retail environment where a gold chain, bracelet, or ring may be the highest-value item in sight, every showcase, guard post, and entry point carries more weight than it once did.

Washington Square Mall, which opened in 1973 and is described as one of the top grossing malls per square foot in the United States, stayed open until its regular 9 p.m. closing time after the robbery. Signet Jewelers, Kay Jewelers’ parent company, referred questions to local police, and the mall did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tigard police said tips can be sent to tips@tigard-or.gov or by calling 503-718-COPS, while the reward reflects a broader warning from the trade: high gold prices are changing not just what jewelry costs, but how it must be protected.