HAMMOND - Police believe a multi-state crime ring is responsible for a high-dollar armed robbery at a Tangipahoa Parish jewelry store Thursday night.

The Hammond Police Department says the three men entered the Kay Jewelers on Palace Drive around 5 o'clock Thursday evening. The hoodie-clad robbers used a sledgehammer to break open display cases and made off with about $69,000 in jewelry, according to police.

Law enforcement canvassed the I-12 corridor hoping to spot the suspect vehicle, photographed by a witness, shortly after the heist. The suspects were located by Baton Rouge police about an hour later near the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge. 

Four people inside the car, identified as 43-year-old Ellis Gholson, 21-year-old Kameron McCoy, 22-year-old Frederick Gibson and 29-year-old Travion Walker, were taken into custody. All four are said to be from Texas. All were booked on armed robbery charges. 

Investigators in Hammond say the group is likely tied to a larger multi-state criminal organization tied to other jewelry store robberies. Police have not recovered the jewels taken in the robbery at this time.