Story highlights The robberies occurred in three states in less than a month

In each case, employees said the robber was a woman; tactics were similar

(CNN) The approaches are strikingly similar: Robber enters a jewelry store, whips out a gun and forces employees into the back before taking off with merchandise.

In each of three recent robberies, the thief was described as a woman who allegedly tied up store employees before loading up on valuables. The robberies occurred in three states, at three different franchises, between early August and early September.

Authorities in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida are investigating whether there are connections between the three.

Georgia: She had 'masculine build'

The first robbery, on August 5, targeted a Zales store Dawsonville, Georgia, about 60 miles north of Atlanta.

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