Kenmore Jewel Box robbed 3 times in 3 years

KENMORE, Wash. — Two suspects burglarized a well-known Kenmore jewelry store located just off Bothell Way overnight on Monday, stealing several hundred dollars worth of bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry the owner said.

John Strok has owned the Kenmore Jewel Box since he immigrated from Argentina after a short stay in Philadelphia in 1980. Strok said that in the 37 years he's been in business, he has noticed a surge in burglaries in the area.

“The customers encourage me: ‘John stay, work, stay, don't give up’,” he said of his loyal customer base who treat him as if he were family.

Strok believes the burglars broke open the store's door by using a screwdriver. Bothell Police, who also serve the Kenmore area, believe they took off in a 4-door silver Cadillac.

“I got a call on Friday to come in and get my watches, so I'm sad to hear that they had a robbery,” customer Shannon Towle remarked as she came in and heard about the robbery.

Strok said in the last three years, he’s been hit by thieves at least three times.

A neighboring Chase Bank recently was robbed he said, and the robbers got away with thousands of dollars.

Strok blames drug use and continued development near downtown Kenmore and Bothell as a culprit in the uptick of crime.

But even though he may now be 80 years old, and his building was constructed in 1956 during the World’s Fair and transported to Kenmore, Strok said he can’t leave his customer base behind.

“When you sit down and they tell you a story, it's amazing,” Strok said.

Cox Media Group