Man robs Copperopolis store with what he claims is grenade

COPPEROPOLIS -- Authorities are looking for a man who robbed a Copperopolis jewelry store armed with what he claimed was a hand grenade.

According to the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department, the man walked into Firefall Jewelry in Copper Town Square at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, displayed a round object and demanded the jewelry from the display cases.

The suspect reportedly told the clerk the item he had was a hand grenade. He got an unknown amount of jewelry and walked away from the store.

Deputies described the man as white, roughly 30 years old, with a bruised eye, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, brown hair and a medium build. He was wearing a red hat and a black sweat jacket.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call the sheriff's office at (209) 754-6500 or the detective tipline at (209) 754-6030. Tipsters may remain anonymous.