According to South Australia Police, the accused entered the Regent Arcade store with a replica handgun and hammer at approximately 9:30am on 30 May.
The man smashed several display cases and stole gold jewellery believed to be valued at tens of thousands of dollars. He then left the weapons behind before fleeing the store.
A 26-year-old was arrested later that day after investigation led the police to his whereabouts. He was subsequently charged with two aggravated counts of committing theft using force, one count of resisting police, one count of damaging property and one count of possessing a firearm without a licence after facing the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 31 May. He was refused bail and remanded in custody until October.
It is understood the court heard the man had the stolen jewellery in his pockets with the price tags still on when police arrested him. He also allegedly attempted to sell some of the stolen items for $1,450 before his arrest.
The robbery marks the second for the Shiels store in the past 18 months. In a separate incident during January a man attempted to rob the store but failed when he “tripped over and failed to escape”. He was later arrested.
Jeweller contacted Shiels’ head office for comment but was advised the company did not wish to provide any further information.
South Australia Police were also contacted; however a spokesperson advised that no more details could be provided as it was an ongoing matter.
More reading
Armed robber hits Michael Hill store, customer confronts assailant
$100,000 of jewellery stolen from Perth store
Melbourne jewellery robberies linked to gold GST fraud
Breakthrough in Melbourne jewellery robberies