Waterloo Regional Police say three suspects robbed Ben Moss Jewellers in Kitchener shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to police, the robbers were wearing masks and were armed.

Waterloo Regional Police Supt. Bryan Larkin says "Essentially were wearing clothing that actually concealed their identity. They were armed with a machete and a sledgehammer."

They fled through the mall and out a back door before driving off down Kingsway Drive. Meanwhile stores in the mall went into a lockdown after the robbery.

Ashton Lavigne was shopping at the time, she says "I was just in one of the stores down the lane I guess, and I just saw one guy in an orange mask run out."

This is the second jewelry theft at the same mall in two weeks.

On Dec. 1 the Peoples Jewellers at the shopping centre was robbed by three men wearing masks and carrying guns. No arrests have been made in that case.

Larkin says "Once again the cases were smashed, the jewelry was grabbed and we believe they left with duffle bags or suitcases."

There are reports the getaway vehicle, a light-coloured van, was similar to that used in a robbery at a Cashmax location in Kitchener on Tuesday.

Larkin says "It's too early in the investigation to draw any conclusions as to whether they're linked or not, something that definitely we need to look at."

Police continue to investigate the robbery.