Smash-and-grab robbers steal $2 million in jewelry

Three masked men smashed display cases with a hammer Friday and dumped jewelry into a bag in Rocco’s Jewelry store in the Bronx and left within 45 seconds. An employee buzzed a man in a white T-shirt, baseball cap, and sunglasses into the store and that man held the door for the three others. The NYPD said no one was hurt and the suspects escaped on foot while onlookers walked by the store. So far, they have not arrested anyone and NYPD Crime Stoppers posted on Twitter that it’s offering a $3,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.

A $2 million heist in New York City—where did I read about this last? A little more than two months ago—and fewer than 20 miles away—a golden tabernacle was stolen from St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, also known as the “Notre Dame” of Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood in New York. The tabernacle was built in 1895 and was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels. The diocese said it was valued at $2 million dollars because of its historical and artistic value.

Dig deeper: Read Addie Offereins and Adel Kuchyk’s report in WORLD Magazine on police and community programs working together to prevent crime.