An Andalusia jewelry store was the victim of a “snatch and grab” Monday, losing thousands of dollars in merchandise after someone threw a pipe through the store’s plate glass window and stole a jewelry-filled display case.

Andalusia Police’s Lt. Paul Dean said officers were notified of a store alarm at Sander’s Fine Jewelry at 10:26 p.m.

“There is a video surveillance tape that shows the whole incident unfold,” Dean said. “It depicts what appears to be a white Chevrolet short-wheel base, regular cab pick-up truck with a ladder rack on top – a work vehicle of sorts. In the video, there is some sort of illegible writing on the side of the vehicle.

“It shows one person, a light-skinned male, get out of the vehicle and use a metal pipe to break the glass,” Dean said. “He reaches in the window – never stepping foot inside the store – pick up the display case and put it in the back of the vehicle and drive off.”

Dean said the suspect did attempt to conceal his identity by using a jacket to cover the bottom half of his face.

Dean said the public’s help is needed to identifying the man.

“Things like this aren’t supposed to happen in Andalusia,” he said. “We’re following every lead we get, but we need the public’s help in bringing this person to justice.”

Dean said a dollar amount couldn’t be set on the stolen items since storeowners are in the process of determining just exactly what was taken.

“It will be significant I’m sure,” he said.

By Tuesday afternoon, police were following up on leads on the location of the pickup truck used in the burglary.

Anyone with any information concerning the robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Andalusia Police Department at 222-1155.