Thieves Smash Glass and Steal Jewelry in Heist Caught on Video

The heist took just 40 seconds, according to station KTRK.

ByABC News
September 15, 2016, 5:27 PM

— -- In a bold jewelry heist caught on camera, four men in black hoodies smashed glass cases at an upscale Houston jewelry store as shocked customers and employees watched.

At least four men were involved in the heist around 5:50 p.m. Tuesday at de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry in Houston, said Houston Police Department spokesman Victor Senties.

Donning black hoodies, the men smashed glass cases and took high-end jewelry from the store, said Senties.

In the video, an employee or customer is seen ducking with his hands over his head as the glass shatters around him.

The men stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry, according to ABC station KTRK in Houston, in the heist that took just 40 seconds.

Lily Morris, who was shopping near the jewelry store at the time, told ABC News the "scary" heist happened in broad daylight. She said there was glass was all over the ground and she saw some employees standing outside who looked very "shaken up."

She said one person had cuts, bandages and shards of glass on her legs and feet.

"There was so much glass on the floor, I thought surely they have a beautiful, new promotion going on at this jewelry store, because it was just sparkling, glistening all over," Morris said.

ABC News' Rachel Humphries and Gina Sunseri contributed to this report.