Thieves steal more than $425K in jewels at Schaumburg store

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (AP) - Police are searching for two men who stole more than $425,000 worth of gems in a smash and grab at a Schaumburg jeweler.

Schaumburg police spokesman Lt. Shawn Green says the suspects entered the Jared The Galleria of Jewelry at Woodfield Mall during business hours Tuesday night. He says they smashed two display cases with hammers, grabbing loose diamonds and semi-mounted precious stones before running off.

Green says the theft happened quickly and there was no interaction between the robbers and the customers or employees.

An initial inventory of the stolen items determined the thieves made off with 63 loose diamonds worth about $427,000. But Green says the total value of the stolen items will be higher after the store adds up the value of the other stones.

The investigation is ongoing.