Three masked robbers reportedly stole $300,000 of dog jewelry from a salesman in Parker on Monday.

The 64-year-old Kansas City, Kan., resident stopped for coffee at a Starbucks at 9700 S. Parker Road, and had just returned to his car when the trio suddenly appeared, one holding a gun, said Parker police spokeswoman Elise Penington.

The salesman said the bandits took three "tubs" of jewelry and a briefcase containing his handgun, she said.

Penington said the stolen goods included bejeweled dog collars and other items.

The victim, who remains in Colorado, wasn't injured in the stickup. His name in being withheld.

Police said they hope to provide a description of the suspects later, including whether they used a car to flee the scene.

Besides the salesman, there were no other witnesses, Penington said.

None of the employees at Starbucks at the time of the robbery were available for comment Monday afternoon.

Investigators are seeking surveillance video from area merchants that could contain clues.

The salesman was in town for a Denver-area dog show, Penington said.

The Rocky Mountain Cluster Dog Show was held this past weekend at the National Western Stock Show complex in Denver.

Penington could not confirm, however, whether or not the salesman had attended that event.

The victim probably will return to Kansas later this week, she said.

Other heists

Past incidents of thefts or robberies from jewelers, although none involving canine jewelry:

* Aug. 31, 1994: Two men and a woman were suspected of breaking into an out-of-state diamond broker's rental car, which was parked at a grocery store in Wheat Ridge. An estimated $1 million of diamonds and jewelry in a suitcase was taken.

* Sept. 26, 1994: A briefcase of gems was stolen from a Broomfield jeweler while his car was parked at his home. The value of the stolen jewelry was not disclosed.

* July 21, 1995: Unknown thieves apparently stole a Littleton jeweler's luggage containing $300,000 of loose diamonds at Denver International Airport - the jeweler had to check the bag en route from Rapid City, S.D., to Dallas - he discovered the theft when he arrived in Dallas.

* April 10, 1999: Four masked bandits, three armed with semiautomatic pistols, grabbed $500,000 of diamonds and opals from two couriers outside Southglenn Mall.

The gems had been on display at Brendan Jewelers at the mall. They were being transferred in four bags to a Brendan Jewelers store at Southwest Plaza.

* July 13, 2001: Gun-toting robbers in Halloween masks held up a Dallas gem dealer in the Dollar Rent-A-Car parking lot at Denver International Airport. An estimated $300,000 of jewelry in three bags was taken.

* Oct. 1, 2003: Three men, believed to be part of a gang called "The Colombians" robbed a jeweler from New York and a jeweler from Istanbul, Turkey, in the parking lot of a Burger King restaurant in Denver. An estimated $600,000 of jewelry was taken from the trunk of the rental car.

* Oct. 27, 2003: Three men, also believed to be members of The Colombians targeted two jewelry salesmen, one from Houston, one from Tel Aviv, Israel, in the parking lot of a Days Inn in Lakewood. The two were pulling in after spending the day selling jewelry to various stores in Denver. Briefcases containing $500,000 of jewelry were taken by the thieves.

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