WATCH: NYC thieves steal $2 million worth of fine jewelry in under a minute
Luke Gentile
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A gang of masked thieves stole up to $2 million worth of high-end jewelry on Sunday during a smash-and-grab heist in New York City.
The crime occurred around 5 p.m. at Facets Fine Jewelry in Park Slope, Brooklyn, while shoppers and employees were still in the store, according to a report.
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At least three suspects entered and threatened to shoot an employee, smashed the display cases with hammers, and began grabbing the jewels, witnesses said.
“I am shocked,” said Irina Sulay, the store owner. “Honestly, it’s very scary. I couldn’t even talk yesterday. I was hyperventilating, crying, sobbing, and shaking.”
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“The whole thing lasted 38 seconds,” she said. “They took two and a half full cases of diamond engagement rings, newer pieces we’ve designed in-house, and pieces we’ve collected — art deco and Edwardian rings. … I want to say 100 rings.”
The value of the stolen jewelry is could be valued upward of $2 million, according to Sulay.
“They knew exactly what cases to take from,” she said. “They only took the big-ticket items.”
Sulay admitted that she saw two of the suspects linger by the door when the third pressed the buzzer to enter, the report noted.
“I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt,” she explained. “It’s difficult. You try not to racially profile anyone and not be judgmental or discriminatory.”
The second they got inside, however, “the guy reaches into his pocket and pulls out a hammer — I didn’t even understand how a hammer could fit in there — and he says, ‘And this is how you use a hammer.’ He smashed three of our main displays,” Sulay said.
One of her employees tried to reach for a phone, she said.
“She’s shaking,” Sulay said. “So she hands the phone to me, and that’s when the guy in the door yells, ‘Don’t move! What the f*** are you going? I’m going to shoot you!'”
All three suspects remain on the loose, the report noted, and no injuries were reported. However, the incident has left many people uneasy, according to Sulay.
“I’ve lived in New York City all my life, through the ’70s and ’80s, and I’ve never felt so unsafe,” said Gina Tarigo, a store employee. “What is the mayor doing? It’s ridiculous. We have to do something about it.”
Sulay said she is terrified at work.
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“Just yesterday, we were talking about the new year, that it was going to be a good year, and eight days later, an insane situation has occurred,” she said.
“I’m so frightened,” she continued. “I’m not even opening the door to my loyal clients … even recognize who they are and I won’t let them in.”