Two thieves, posing as wealthy customers, executed a brazen heist in just a matter of seconds, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry right before the store owner’s eyes. According to KTLA, this incident took place at OC Diamond Estate Jewelry on Glassell Street in Orange County around 3:30 PM on September 17.
Store owner Samy Soliman recounted the event, stating that a man and a woman entered his shop asking to see some expensive jewelry. He noted that the pair appeared well-dressed, adorned with high-end accessories that conveyed an air of affluence.
“I was on the phone when suddenly my mobile rang,” Soliman said. “I stepped away from the display case to take the call, and in that brief moment, the woman placed a jewelry box on a chair. I was completely unaware, as her male companion stood directly in my line of sight.”
As Soliman ended his call, the woman continued to engage him in conversation, diverting his attention, while the man stealthily stuffed the jewelry box into his pants. The duo quickly exited the store, with surveillance footage capturing the woman placing the box down and the man swiftly hiding it beneath his shirt.
“It was literally just a second when I turned around, and in that instant, the items were gone,” Soliman expressed. He realized the box was missing later that evening while returning other pieces to the safe. “At first, I thought I had misplaced it somewhere. It wasn’t until I reviewed the footage that I confirmed it was stolen.”
Remarkably, this marks the third time Soliman has been a victim of theft in his store over the past four years, but it’s the first time he has witnessed it firsthand. He has reported the incident to the police and is hoping that social media can assist in bringing the thieves to justice. “I’m afraid to display jewelry now; I’m filled with dread. I really don’t know what will happen next, and it terrifies me,” Soliman lamented.
The thieves made off with multiple valuable items, including 84 antique rings valued between $120,000 to $150,000. Regarding the financial blow, Soliman stated, “This theft is a devastating hit for me, as all the profit I’ve made over the past three or four years has been wiped out in one fell swoop. It’s a significant loss.”
The store’s Instagram account has shared surveillance footage of the crime, urging followers and the public to help identify the suspects. Anyone with relevant information or who can assist in recognizing the individuals in the video is encouraged to contact the Orange County Police Department immediately.
