Man Arrested In Finger-Breaking Diamond Ring Theft

COON RAPIDS, Minn. (WCCO) -- Police have arrested a man they say stole a diamond ring worth nearly $16,000, breaking a store clerk's finger in the process.

Police say they apprehended 23-year-old Matthew Thomas Kennedy after surveillance video of the incident led to a number of tips.

The video showed a man enter what appeared to be to an empty Kay Jewelry location at Riverdale Mall. After a few seconds, a clerk came to the counter. Police said staffers were leery of the man because of his age and the type of ring he was asking to see.

The clerk put on the 1.6 carat princess cut Leo diamond set in white gold. Surveillance videos showed the man rip the ring off her finger with enough force to fracture the bone.

The man ran from the store and got away in a white Toyota Celica.

The Anoka County Sheriff's Office says officers arrested Kennedy on Tuesday. They said they also recovered clothing consistent with surveillance footage of the robbery.

Police said Kennedy has been arrested multiple times for theft. He has not yet been charged in this particular incident.