Video Shows Thieves Using Truck To Smash Into Jewelry Store

PARAMUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New surveillance video shows how thieves pulled off a brazen, smash-and-grab jewelry heist in Paramus last week.

As CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported, the video shows a Ford F-350 pick-up truck barreling through the side windows of The Jewelry Center on Route 4, smashing the wall, windows and glass cases.

The burglars used a steel cable attached to the truck to yank a large safe filled with nearly $250,000 worth of jewelry out of the store, then used a backhoe to hoist the safe up onto the bed of the truck.

The truck in the heist was reported stolen from Essex County, and the backhoe was later reported stolen from a Route 17 construction site in Paramus.

The Jewelry Center is billed as the nation's largest jewelry retailer, with more than 40 independent merchants.

Abe Gelin, who shares the jewelry kiosk where the robbery happened, said the thieves had a well thought-out plan.

"The way they took that safe out of here was like a little rag doll or something -- it just came out. So I'm sure they knew what they were doing and what type of car they needed to get it out of here," he said.

Now, as police look for the burglars, the crime has other jewelry vendors increasing security measures.

"The way it happened so fast obviously makes you think twice about what you could do to prevent it, but unfortunately, if they're going to come in, they're going to come in no matter what you do," Gelin said.

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