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Read the press release here.

Jewel Thieves Pistol Whip Shop Owner in $250,000 Robbery

By Andrea Swalec | August 26, 2011 1:06pm

GREENWICH VILLAGE — Police are hunting three thieves who assaulted a Village store owner at gunpoint and stole $250,000 worth of gold and diamond jewelry in broad daylight Wednesday afternoon.

The suspects, who were caught on surveillance cameras, entered Crown Jewelers International at 60 W. 8th St. about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Store owner Erick Shimunov, 35, said he, his wife and an employee were working in the store when a man wearing a yellow and pink construction vest rang the store's buzzer. Shimunov buzzed him in, and the man held the door open for another man wearing a construction vest, as well as a third man who pulled out a gun after the trio entered.

"They made it look like they were construction workers," Shimunov said. 

The man with the gun then ordered staff to the back of the store and pistol-whipped Shimunov, he said. 

"He hit me in the head with the gun, and I fell to the floor," he said. 

One man pulled out a hammer and smashed several display cases, while another put an estimated $250,000 worth of gold and diamond men's jewelry in a bag, police and Shimunov said. 

He noted that the men wore gloves and were in the store for no more than 80 seconds. 

"They were professionals, I could tell. This was not their first job," Shimunov said. "I believe they came to the store before and saw where we had the expensive jewelry." 

The suspects fled the shop, next door to a Barnes & Noble book store, in a black Chevrolet Suburban, police said. 

Shimunov said he had never been robbed in 10 years running the shop. He required eight stitches in the back of his head after being attacked, he said. 

"I know that robberies like this happen, but I'm still shocked," he said. "I can't sleep."

Police described two of the suspects as between 25 and 30 years old, standing 5-foot-8 to 6-feet, and weighing about 150 pounds. A third suspect is described as 20 to 25 years old, standing 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 and weighing about 150 pounds. 

Shimunov said he has been preparing to move Crown Jewelers International to a bigger store at 170 Seventh Avenue South at the end of September. He said he will take additional security measures there.

"I will definitely obtain a gun permit immediately and get a double-door and a security guard," he said. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES), and then entering TIP577. All calls are confidential.