By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — A Madison Avenue robber who shot and killed an elderly jewelry store worker in the middle of a heist made off with more than $1 million worth of diamonds, rubies and sapphires, police said Friday.
In total, the NYPD estimated the cache of stolen jewels was worth roughly $1.25 million. Among the stolen gems in the lot was a single diamond necklace worth $105,000.
In his haste to get away after the robbery, the thief threw away a Faberge-style egg blocks away from the jewelry store, R.S. Durant.
Henry Menahem, 71, was fatally shot in the chest after he initially refused to turn over merchandise at the store Wednesday.
The FBI joined in the search for the wanted robber Friday. It's possible the man may have already sold the jewels for cash, according to authorities.
The NYPD released sketches of the suspect and video footage of his getaway and papered Madison Avenue between 75th and 76th streets with posters.
"It may trigger someone's memory that may have seen someone taking off a hat and sunglasses in the area," Kelly said.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned black man who wore a blue coat, navy slacks and black gloves at the time of the robbery.
A man who described himself as the co-owner of the store Thursday said that Menahem was a family friend and had a renewed sense of life after battling cancer.
Menahem was laid to rest Friday.
