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A high-dollar burglary at The Velvet Case, a jewelry store in Staunton, has left employees and the owner shaken after an estimated $300,000 in cash and jewelry was stolen late last month.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft, which occurred overnight between November 30 and December 1. Surveillance footage shows suspicious activity beginning around 1:30 a.m., when someone shined lights into the store. The burglary continued for several hours and ended around 5:30 a.m., leaving behind an empty safe and a large hole cut through the wall.
Store manager Cassandra Vaughn said she was stunned when she learned what had happened. After arriving at the store, she said the extent of the damage and planning involved was overwhelming and left staff deeply shaken.
Owner Vanessa Pogreba said the burglary was carefully executed. The suspect reportedly cut through the wall and secured the safe to prevent motion sensors from being triggered before cutting into the back of it. From the outside, the store appeared untouched, and the damage wasn’t immediately apparent.
Since the incident, Pogreba said the store has made significant security upgrades, including relocating the safe, installing additional alarms and concealed cameras, and adding grates to doors and windows. Staff members have also taken personal safety courses and pursued concealed carry permits.
Despite the loss, Pogreba emphasized gratitude that no one was injured and said her top priority moving forward is staff safety. She urged community members to report any information—no matter how small—that could help investigators.
The Velvet Case remains open. Anyone with information about the burglary is encouraged to contact the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.
SOURCE: WHSV3