PITTSBURGH — A retired Pittsburgh police officer working security in a jewelry store is being credited with tackling a man charged with trying to steal a $37,500 Rolex watch.
Police said the former officer, Michael Blake, was working at Henne Jewelry Store when 22-year-old Taquan Knight allegedly snatched the watch out of a clerk's hand and tried to run away about 1 p.m. Tuesday.
“He was wearing a Rolex on his other wrist indicating he’d like to trade that in,” said John Henne.
Blake scuffled with Knight until officers arrived to arrest him.
“He was trying on watches and there was a certain watch I guess he wanted. He ripped it out of the salesperson’s hands and ran,” said Blake.
Blake was pushed into a glass display counter which shattered and cut his leg. Despite that, Blake was able to activate a security alarm which locked the store's front door -- but not before Knight's leg was caught in it.
“Every inch of this store where someone could be is really covered (with cameras),” said Henne.
Knight's been charged with robbery and related crimes, authorities said.
Channel 11's Alan Jennings learned Thursday that investigators believe Knight may be involved in thefts in other states, as well.
“I just got a phone call about an hour ago from Hank Siehel from Hamilton Jewelers in New Jersey indicating that the gentleman that was apprehended here in our store had stolen a watch or a Rolex from them on Sunday,” Henne said.