More revealed about robber at Copperopolis jewelry store claiming to have grenade

COPPEROPOLIS -- Authorities on Friday released more details about the robbery of a Copperopolis jewelry store by a man 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 about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, displayed a round object and demanded the jewelry from the display cases. The man told the clerk the item he had was a hand grenade, authorities said.

The man also told the clerk he had an accomplice outside on a roof with a "high-powered rifle," and that he had a package with an explosive device in it that he would leave behind the building.

A witness who was interviewed during the investigation confirmed that he or she had seen a man matching the robber's description place a package on the ground behind the building. The Calaveras Sheriff's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit examined the package and rendered it safe. The package did not contain explosives.

Deputies described the robber as white, roughly 30 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a bruised eye, 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.