By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
TRIBECA — Thieves struck a TriBeCa jewelry boutique over the weekend, lifting an estimated $500,000 in gold and gems, according to reports.
Nirvana International had just opened over the summer at 246 West Broadway and was gearing up for its first holiday season in TriBeCa.
But now, owner Amit Sharma has no merchandise left to sell, as the thieves emptied the store’s safe of the entire jewelry collection, the Tribeca Trib reported.
"I can’t help but cry whenever I think about a piece that’s lost," Sharma told local blog Tribeca Citizen, which first reported the theft.
The heist occurred sometime between 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. The thieves apparently entered the building’s fourth floor after climbing the scaffolding at the adjacent construction of 1 North Moore St. They then appeared to have broken through the second floor and used a rope ladder to lower themselves into the shop, according to reports.
The thieves did not set off any of the shop’s alarms, Sharma said.
Detectives combed the store for clues on Monday. Sharma told reporters he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to reopen his shop.
Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or text TIP5477 to "CRIMES" or visit the website.
