Woman arrested in probe of jewelry store robberies

Authorities said they also took a person she was with into custody but will not release any information regarding that person until they have more information.

Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, was taken into custody without incident Friday, Jan. 8 by agents from the FBI's Atlanta Division, who were assisting their Jacksonville counterparts with the investigation.

Kemp is believed to be involved in robberies in Bluffton, SC, Sevierville, TN, Mebane, NC, Panama City Beach, FL, Dawsonville, GA, and Woodstock, GA.

Due to on-going investigative efforts, the identity of the second person is not being released at this time. They said she made off with more than $400,000 worth of jewels.

Officials believe she robbed the stores in an eight-month crime spree that began around April of 2015.

Federal authorities told the newspaper that a woman and man typically forced jewelry store employees at gunpoint into a back room, where they were tied up.

"We... thank the many callers who provided us with information to assist in the investigation". The FBI is still investigating and encouraged the public to provide any information that may help.

The case will be handled by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida.

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