Feb. 12--Two smash-and-grab thieves made off with more than $425,000 worth of loose diamonds, plus other precious stones, from a jeweler at Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg police said.
The men entered the Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, south of the main mall, about 8 p.m. Tuesday, smashed display cases and made off with the jewels, police spokesman Lt. Shawn Green said. The store was open at the time.
The men, carrying hammers or similar tools, went right to the display cases, grabbed loose diamonds and semi-mounted precious stones and ran off, Green said.
The two fled in a waiting minivan, which was later found abandoned in a nearby parking lot, police said in a news release Thursday. Investigators found out that the minivan had been reported stolen from Rolling Meadows, according to the release.
The store's initial inventory indicated that 63 loose diamonds worth about $427,000 were taken, but the total value of the stolen items will be higher after taking into account the other stones, Green said.
Police did not release a detailed description of the thieves Thursday.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Schaumburg police at 847-895-4500.
