As Albert Lea Police pursue leads in the Skyline Jewelry burglary, up to $5,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the thief or thieves.

&uot;We can keep it confidential as long as it’s not smoking gun-type of information,&uot; Assistant Police Chief Dwaine Winkels said. He said the informant could remain anonymous if the evidence he or she gives can be verified some other way. Otherwise, the informant might have to testify. Either way, he said the informant can discuss the information with the police and decide from there.

He said often in crimes like this, thieves have an outlet to sell the jewelry.

Skyline Jewelry owner Bruce Arbic wouldn’t comment on the theft except to say that information about the theft has been sent to members of the Minnesota Jeweler Association as well as similar associations in other states. He wouldn’t say who was putting up the reward money.

Detective Frank Cole of the Albert Lea Police Department said all law enforcement agencies in southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities have been alerted about the theft. He wouldn’t comment on whether there was a suspect or not.

The theft occurred early in the morning on July 5. A restaurant worker entered the building and later found that a window was broken in the entrance to Northbridge Mall; a window to the jewelry store was also broken. Police said &uot;a lot&uot; of rings and watches were stolen.