Robbers Steal Nearly $1 Million in Jewelry Inventory From New Jersey Store, Owner Says

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey New video captured a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Jersey City, where thieves made off with more than $1 million worth of merchandise, according to the store’s owner.

Surveillance footage shows four people breaking through the glass in a matter of seconds before entering the store and smashing display cases. The entire incident unfolded rapidly, with about 10 seconds spent breaking the window and glass door before the suspects rushed inside.

“They came with a laundry bag. They just took it and put it in, like, really like three minutes. Everything. They just put it in like nothing,” said Gustavo Sanchez, owner of Gustavo Oro Jewelry Shop.

Sanchez said he was devastated by what happened at his store.

“I just sat crying and, you know, thinking of, like, how things like this can happen,” he said.

The robbery occurred around 6:48 p.m. Thursday. The store was scheduled to close at 8 p.m., and three employees were inside at the time. They were able to flee safely through a back door.

According to Sanchez, nearly the entire inventory was stolen.

“Our entire inventory, and I would say around $1.2 million, $1.1 million. Everything. They took everything,” he said.

Sanchez noted that he had installed an extra layer of security glass over the counter last year, but the display cases were no match for the mallets used by the robbers.

He also operates another jewelry store in Paterson and said he is now looking for ways to better protect both his business and his employees.

Sanchez said he believes the incident reflects difficult economic conditions.

“People are desperate right now. And something that we have to know. We have to be alert because this is happening all the time, every day,” he said.