Bellagio Burglary At High-End Jewelry Store Sends Hotel Into Lockdown

LAS VEGAS, NV — A burglary at a high-end jewelry store at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas sent guests scrambling as authorities locked down the casino and parking garage while they attempted to apprehend the suspects.

According to Las Vegas police, initial reports indicated that there was an active shooter at the hotel but that report was later proven to be false. No injuries were reported as a result of the burglary.

In a statement, police said that a preliminary investigation suggests at least three suspects entered a high-end retail store to commit the burglary. Police say it is believed that at least one of the suspects fired shots inside the store and at least one suspect has been taken into custody.

According to a report in the Las Vegas Sun, burglars armed with sledgehammers smashed the glass entrance of the store, which was apparently closed for the night. The suspects stole "valuable" items from the store. The suspects tried to drive away but their car wouldn't start so they ran on foot and tried to carjack a driver before running as the carjacking attempt failed, the Sun reported.

A photo from a woman inside the hotel at the time of the burglary shows at least one of the suspects wearing a pig-mask.

It is unclear which store was targeted by the burglars. The Sun identified it as a high-end jewelry store. The Bellagio is home to many high-end jewelry stores including Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co. and Tesorini.

Patch will update this report.

Image by Sean MacEntee via Flickr Creative Commons