BRIDGEPORT — Tens of thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry and diamonds were stolen during an early-morning heist at a Bridgeport jeweler, the owner said.
"They took everything. Watches. Jewelry. Diamonds. Necklaces. The diamond inventory," said Oscar Serna, the longtime owner of Oscar's Jewelers at 3460 S. Halsted St.
Serna said three men were caught on the store's surveillance camera about 5 a.m. slipping inside the store after breaking a window, then smashing three cases and grabbing a variety of jewelry.
Serna originally estimated the losses at $250,000 but later revised that figure, saying about $50,000 to $75,000 worth of items were stolen.
All told, the bandits were in the store for about two minutes, said Alejandro Serna, Oscar's son.
The younger Serna said it appeared the thieves "didn't know what cases to hit ... there was no method to their madness."
The security footage has been turned over to police.
Much of the store's inventory, including the safes in back, remains intact and untouched, and the store has reopened for business.
"It was a smash-and-grab," Oscar Serna said. "The main safes were not tampered with."
Serna said the trio left behind a hammer, which is now considered evidence.
Now, the veteran watchmaker who founded his business in 1976 as a tiny storefront on Halsted street, said he's facing another hurdle.
"I have insurance on some stuff but my insurance expired two weeks ago. I don't have insurance to claim [the loss] so I'm going to take the loss all by myself," he said.
No arrests have been made.
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