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Armed robbery at jewelry store in Fashion Valley

San Diego police said shots were fired near or at the Neimen Marcus store at Fashion Valley.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Three gun-toting thieves with ski masks over their faces drove a car across a pedestrian promenade at Fashion Valley mall Friday before robbing a jewelry store and fleeing with an undetermined amount of merchandise.

People scrambled to get out of the way as the bandits steered a white older-model Toyota Camry through shoppers at the busy Friars Road retail complex about 11:15 a.m., honking the car's horn and ramming signs while weaving through walkway areas, according to San Diego police.

After the sedan stopped in front of the Ben Bridge store, two of the men got out, carrying pistols, and ransacked the jewelry business, smashing display cases and grabbing merchandise.

The pair then got back into the vehicle and were driven out of the mall, SDPD Detective Gary Hassen said.

About 10 minutes later, officers found the car - which had been stolen earlier in the day - abandoned in a parking lot at a nearby Wells Fargo bank.

Police fanned out through the mall and surrounding areas and searched in vain for the bandits, each of whom reportedly was carrying a handgun and wearing a black hooded sweat shirt and dark-colored gloves.

No injuries were reported.

Watch CBS 8 at 5pm or check CBS8.com for more information on this developing story.

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