Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Thieves Steal $1 Million In Jewelry From Store
By
Jen Chung
Published May 8, 2009
Modified May 8, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 8, 2009
Modified May 8, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While the security guards of an East Side jewelry store were out for lunch, two thieves managed to get away with $1 million in jewelry. Rafaela Amini, co-owner of the Gioia Galleria, buzzed in the two men, who she apparently recognized as men who had previously been in the store. Seems like they had been casing it out, since they "immediately pounced on Amini, pushing her to the floor. When they tried to tie her up, she battled back, but they kicked her in the head and attacked her with pepper spray," the Post reports. The robbers, who had Russian or Eastern European accents, took a "$640,000set of earrings and a $450,000 bracelet" if you read the Post or "grabbed a pair of diamond earrings and a diamond ring" if you read the Daily News.
Tagged
jewelry store
robbers
robbery
thieves
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade
The improvements to at the Reid & Park Rock developments come has the agency wrestles with a multibillion-dollar backlog in needed repairs.
By
Willow Higgins
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.
By
Caroline Lewis
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
By
Catalina Gonella
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .