Sledgehammer thieves smash Boca Raton Saks 5th Avenue, gut jewelry cases

BOCA RATON, Fla. - A search is on for the robbers Boca Raton Police said busted into the Boca Raton Town Center Saks 5th Avenue store and left with a massive amount of jewelry.

Investigators said the thieves walked inside the store an hour before closing Thursday night armed with sledgehammers.

Police said five men in masks walked up to the glass counters of the jewelry cases and began smashing the cases.

Moments later, investigators said the thieves got away with an undisclosed amount of merchandise and drove off in a BMW.

On Friday, increased security by both the mall and police was visible. Officers and mall security spent the day patrolling the outside of the store.

When reached for comment, Saks 5th Avenue sent this statement:

"The safety of our associates and customers is of utmost importance to Saks. We are cooperating with authorities on the matter."

Boca Raton Town Center emailed statement:

"Our primary concern is always for the safety of our customers and mall employees and we are glad no one was injured last night. We will continue to work with the Boca Raton Police Department as they investigate this isolated incident."

Inside the store on Friday, the broken glass cases had been either repaired or replaced. An armed guard was also present.

A request to the Boca Raton Police Department for surveillance footage was denied.