Jersey City, NJ– Surveillance video captured four people carrying out a smash-and-grab robbery at a Jersey City jewelry store, making off with more than $1 million in merchandise in a matter of seconds, according to ABC7 News.
The masked suspects shattered a window and glass door before rushing inside Gustavo Oro Jewelry Shop, where they began smashing display cases with mallets. The entire robbery unfolded in about 10 seconds, according to the store’s owner.
“They came with a laundry bag and just filled it up,” owner Gustavo Sanchez told ABC7. “In just a few minutes, they took everything.”
The robbery happened Thursday around 6:48 p.m., about an hour before the store was scheduled to close. Three employees were inside at the time and escaped unharmed through a rear exit, according to Sanchez.
The store’s inventory was nearly wiped out, with losses estimated between $1.1 million and $1.2 million.
“Everything was gone,” Sanchez said.
He said he added reinforced security glass over the counter last year, but it did little to stop the thieves, who quickly smashed through the display cases.
Visibly shaken by the incident, Sanchez said he was devastated by the loss.
“I just sat there crying, thinking about how something like this could happen,” he said.
Sanchez also owns a second jewelry store in Paterson and said he is considering additional security measures to better protect his businesses and employees.
He said he believes the robbery reflects increasingly desperate times.
“People are desperate right now,” Sanchez said. “This is happening every day, and we have to stay alert.”
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If you have any information regarding this incident or information on these criminals, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.