High-end watches with an estimated value of half a million dollars were stolen this morning in a daring burglary at a Jewelers Row store, officials said.
The heist was reported at 5:39 a.m. after an alarm was activated at New York Jewelers, 11 N. Wabash Avenue, said a spokesman at the store.
The spokesman said watches of an "undetermined" value were stolen in the two-story business, but he declined to provide any other details.
Police believe the watches had an estimated retail value of $500,000, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Darryl Baety.
Police are not certain how many people were involved in the burglary but said whoever was behind it put some thought into it because a large valet-type sign was placed at the front window of the store to block any view of the break-in.
A window that connects to a door in the vestibule was knocked out, police said. Whoever entered was small enough to squeeze through the small window, police said.
On the first floor of the store, all of the watches had been locked up and the cases were empty and intact, police said. On the second floor, the glass cases were broken open and watches on display there were gone, police said.
Police said the store had cameras, and surveillance footage was being reviewed.