Doug Doggett Jewelers will remain closed this week after an early morning burglary left cases damaged and a large amount of merchandise stolen.

The business, at 215 Compass Way Southwest off U.S. 31, was broken into at about 1:30 a.m. The front door was smashed as well as several cases containing jewelry, Cullman Police Lt. Gene Bates said.

“Whoever did this was inside just a couple of minutes and left,” Bates said. “Our officers were alerted to an alarm and were on the scene quickly and secured the area, but there was no one present by that time.”

Bates said a large amount of merchandise was taken during the burglary.

“We’re asking that if anyone was in the area around that time to please contact us. Any information from around that time would be helpful to the investigation,” Bates said.

Doug Doggett, who has been in business 37 years, said the burglary was the first time in the history of the store.

“I hate it, but we’re just going to complete the inventory for the insurance and re-open as soon as we can,” Doggett said. “If they catch who did it, that’s good. If not, that’s okay, too, we’ll be back serving our customers quickly.”

Doggett also praised another local business, Cullman Overhead Door, for responding and having a new door in place before sunrise.

“I was going to find some plywood to cover the door, but I was told Cullman Overhead Door had an emergency number, so I tried it,” Doggett said. “A man answered and came by quickly and measured the door and returned and had it all replaced before sun-up. He came back and measured the cases as well and they’ve taken care of those.”

Doggett said he had planned for the store to be closed on the weekend to install new flooring, but after the burglary and the need to complete the inventory decided to remain closed until next week.

Doggett’s also posted on Facebook about the burglary: 

“Unfortunately during the overnight hours Doug Doggett Jewelers was burglarized. Due to cleanup from the damage and time needed for inventory, our hours will vary. Thank you for your patience during this and we will be back open ASAP.

Thankfully, NO customers items were involved.”

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call the Cullman Police Department at 256-734-1434.

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-1231, ext. 116.