Police have released a surveillance image of two men linked to a jewelry store robbery in downtown Victoria Wednesday. 

Officers were called to Paul Mara Jewellers on Fort Street, across from the Bay Centre, at around 4:40 p.m. for reports of a robbery.

They then issued an alert to the public to watch out for two men, reportedly wearing black vests with green stripes who fled on a motorcycle. One of the men was reportedly wearing a white helmet.

On Thursday, police released a surveillance image of the men riding tandem on a black, sport-model motorcycle. 

They also confirmed the men were armed when they held up the store, and were last seen heading southbound on Quadra Street near Courtney Street.

Jackie Baulcomb, who works at a nearby beauty salon, said she was leaving work when she saw the men get off the lone motorcycle and though it was unusual that they left it running.

“It was really weird because they were wearing matching outfits, they were wearing big black jackets with construction worker-like reflecting gear on it,” she said.

While she didn’t see the robbery, she saw the men hop on the bike shortly after and take off down Broughton Street toward Government Street.

“Now I’m shocked, I didn’t think Victoria was the kind of place where armed robberies would be happening around the door from where I work,” said Baulcomb.

For the jewelry store, the robbery came with a feeling of déjà vu.

In 2012, two men smashed display cases and pepper-sprayed employees before making off with $300,000 worth of items – but those men were arrested less than an hour later.

Owner Rob Simon said frightening incidents like these are bound to happen at any store, and staff are trying to provide as much information as possible to track down the thieves.

“Whether you’re a bank, jewelry store or even a coffee shop or convenience store, unfortunately there are idiots in this world who don’t really want to work,” he said. “I don’t think you can get away from that. The important thing to us is help the police in their investigation and make sure our staff are safe.”

Police said multiple people suffered non-life threatening injuries in the robbery but did not have to be taken to hospital. Simon said staff who were working are still badly shaken from the ordeal.

“Staff are quite traumatized at this point. We treat them like family,” he said. “Whatever they need we’ll make sure it’s in place.”

The store remained closed on Thursday and Simon said they’ll discuss reopening early next week.

It’s still unclear what was stolen from the shop or if the men were armed, but Simon confirmed the thieves did not make off with any items that belonged to customers, such as jewelry in for repairs.

A police investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Victoria police or Crime Stoppers. 

With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Chandler Grieve