New details released in $100K jewelry store robbery in Chinatown

Police officials released Tuesday after $100,000 in jewelry was stolen in an afternoon heist that happened in Philadelphia’s Chinatown community on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Officials have announced an arrest in this case previously.

According to law enforcement officials, Phu Chim, 53, has been arrested and charged after a SWAT team executed a search warrant of a property on the 1600 block of South 28th Street, on Aug. 3, 2024.

Law enforcement officials said the theft happened at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, when a man — now believed to be Chim — walked into a jewelry store along the 900 block of Arch Street, produced a firearm and approached a case containing 24-carat jewelry.

Chim, police claim, then pulled out an object believed to be a hammer from a bad he was carrying and smashed a glass case before grabbing four trays full of jewelry.

Police believe the value of the stolen jewelry was worth more than $100,000.

He then fled on foot and, police said, investigation helped identify him as a suspect leading up to his arrest on Aug. 3, 2024.

At the time of his arrest, police officials said, Chim was also allegedly in possession of loaded firearms, ammunition and narcotics.

Chim has been charged with robbery at gun point, weapons violations, narcotics possession and related offenses.