The jewelry thief who struck Honeycutt Jewelers in downtown Southern Pines Friday used brawn rather than brains to clean out the store's display cases.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., the thief, or thieves, kicked in the front door of the store at the corner of North West Broad Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

When Southern Pines police arrived a few minutes later, the thief was gone. Investigators found that he or she had knocked out the backs of several display cases and made off with the assorted pieces of jewelry.

"Police were here in two to four minutes," said owner Diane Helms. "They came right away."

Helms said that she and her employees remove much of the jewelry from the display cases when the store is closed, but that the thief did make off with some items.

Surrounded by empty display cases later that morning, Helms watched a locksmith work with the mangled door.

"I need a door, fast," he said into a cell phone.

Helms said that she hopes officers find whoever broke into her store, but that she doesn't think police have a suspect.

"They don't know," she said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Southern Pines Police Department at 692-7031.

Contact Matthew Moriarty at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.