Suspect in Rolex watch theft at Kalamazoo jewelry store facing armed robbery charge

Police arrested a Detroit-area man Monday who they say stole a Rolex watch from Nord Jewelers, a jewelry store in downtown Kalamazoo and told an employee he had a gun after the employee tried to chase him down.

The 24-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Kalamazoo County District Court on a charge of armed robbery, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Police said the robbery was reported at 1:52 p.m. Monday at Nord Jewelers, 220 W. Michigan Ave.

Police said the suspect "portrayed himself as a customer, asked to see an expensive Rolex watch" and then ran from the store, according to a news release issued by police.

An employee gave chase, "at which point the suspect indicated he had a gun," police said.

The employee was able to get a description of the man's vehicle and a license plate number and police said KDPS Detective Cory Ghiringhelli later spotted the vehicle as it was getting onto eastboud I-94. Ghiringhelli followed the man's vehicle into Battle Creek where Kalamazoo County sheriff's deputies and Battle Creek police officers were able to make a traffic stop on Beckley Road.

Police recovered the stolen Rolex, according to the news release. No weapon was found on the man, police said.

Police ask anyone with information about the armed robbery to call KDPS at 269-337-8994 or contact Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 orwww.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Rex Hall Jr. is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. You can reach him at rhall2@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter.