Minnesota rest stop jewelry heist nets at least $500,000

Updated at 6:25 p.m. | Posted at 1:11 p.m.

Jewelry robbers followed their victims from a Chicago trade show to southern Minnesota before getting away with nearly $500,000 in loot on Monday, Olmsted County investigators said.

Olmstead County sheriff's officials say four people dressed in black hoodies in one vehicle followed a van to the Interstate 90 rest area in Eyota. Investigators say the thieves smashed windows and took several suitcases filled with loose diamonds and other jewelry.

"Loose diamonds would be the big one," Capt. Scott Behrns said. "And then gold and silver chains and pendants and miscellaneous jewelry items like that that are fairly expensive."

Seven people were traveling together in the vehicle from the trade show and stopped at the rest area. The Post-Bulletin reports two people stayed with the valuables while the others used the facilities.

The thieves then fled westbound on I-90, dumped the car they were in after driving a mile, and were picked up by another vehicle.

"This crime was pretty well-coordinated and executed pretty quickly, probably in the time span of less than 90 seconds," Behrns said.

Behrns would not disclose the jewelry dealers' identity or destination. The suspects remain at large.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.