Raiders Shatter Reinforced Glass in Jewelry Heist

(IDEX Online) - Robbers armed with sledgehammers smashed their way through a jeweler's reinforced storefront in seconds, then fled with goods worth an estimated $1 million.

Owners of the family-run store say they spent $17,500 last year on special, protective windows that were supposed to withstand up to 20 sledgehammer strikes.

But they shattered instantly when a gang of four hooded raiders struck at SD Jewelry, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA, on 8 April.

The raiders then smashed display cabinets and stole the entire on-display inventory.

Surveillance video shows co-owners Stephanie Duran and her mother Perla Ceballos clinging to the getaway car and trying to stop the perpetrators as they drove off.

The pair say they'd invested in specialist glass to prevent exactly this kind of heist.

Duran said they couldn't afford the premiums to insure the goods. She's offering a $10,000 reward for information.

Grab from SD Jewelry's surveillance TV footage.