New video captured by bystanders showed a group of assailants using what appeared to be sledgehammers to smash a Beverly Hills jewelry store's windows before snatching the jewelry on display and running Tuesday.
Police were investigating and the chief said he was adding a camera trailer, extra security patrols, and an extra special watch from officers in the 200 block of South Beverly Drive.
Beverly Hills police said about five robbers rolled up in a stolen vehicle, and then used sledgehammers to smash the windows of a jewelry store.
Get Southern California news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.
After quickly smashing the window, the group snatched handfuls of jewelry and ran.
Aerial images from NewsChopper4 showed the business is called Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills.
The thieves got away with an estimated $5 million worth of jewelry, Beverly Hills police said.m
Video from a passersby showed the crime happening in real time, with five robbers smashing the window before scooping up the jewelry on display and running.
Police said because the robbers had their faces covered and drove in a stolen car, it will be very difficult to find them.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
The car, initially stolen out of Long Beach, was recovered by police.
Beverly Hills had previously bolstered security in the wake of follow-home robberies and smash-and-grab robberies.
Cameras are on many Beverly Hills streets after the rash of crimes.
Nearly a year ago, a woman was shot in the calf by a ricocheting bullet at celebrity hotspot Il Pastaio.
