Police have released pictures of three armed robbery suspects after a theft at the Peoples Jewellers at Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener.

Police say the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. An undisclosed amount of jewelry was taken.

Waterloo Regional Police Inspector Barry Zehr says the male suspects "were all dressed in black and they were carrying guns."

Police say no shots were fired and no one was hurt, but some glass was smashed. The suspects all had their faces covered, and at least one was wearing a wrestling-style mask.

Waterloo Regional Police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel says "This particular mask it does look very distinctive, very unique. Our investigators will follow up on that as well and anyone who knows anyone with a mask like that, we'd like to hear form them."

The area was sealed of quickly after police received a number of 911 calls from people inside the mall. Police say the suspects were last seen fleeing on foot in the area of Kingsway Drive and Greenfield Avenue.

Police are investigating whether similar crimes have been committed in other jurisdictions. Anyone with information is asked to call Waterloo Regional Police at 519-653-7700 Ext. 4499 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Robbery unsettling for jewellers

Melanie Heffernan of Heffernan's Jewellery says after an event like this one "We definitely go over our action plan again."

The high price of precious metals right now is reportedly a big motivator for armed robbers.

Heffernan says "Gold is so expensive right now. It's at an all time high so I think that has something to do with the robberies right now. Gold is very valuable."

It is also allegedly very easily to sell on the black market, and the robbers likely already have buyers lined up.