FBI Joins Hunt for Armed Woman in 3 Jewelry Store Robberies

— -- The FBI has joined an investigation into a series of jewelry store robberies across three states, as authorities believe the robberies are linked to the same woman.

The spree started Aug. 5 at a Zales store in Dawsonville, Georgia, when the female suspect walked away with $13,000 in valuables, authorities said.

The next incident occurred Aug. 11 at a Reeds store in Panama City Beach, Florida, where the suspect allegedly used a gun to force employees into a back room, and got away with more than $400,000 worth of jewels before UPS deliveryman Ted Simon arrived at the store.

“They were very terrified. They had fear in their face,” Simon said.

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Another incident was reported Sept. 3 at a Jared store in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Authorities in the three states are still investigating whether the heists are related, but in all cases, a gun-toting female zip-tied employees and disappeared with thousands of dollars in jewels.

Though the unidentified woman is the only suspect seen in surveillance footage, authorities say she may not be working alone.