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Robbers, Posing As Hasidic Jews, Pull Off Jewelry Heist
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 7, 2009
Modified Jan 7, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 7, 2009
Modified Jan 7, 2009
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Have really fake-looking beard, will rob: Surveillance footage has emerged of two men who disguised themselves as Hasidic Jews to rob a Diamond District jewelry importer on New Year's Eve afternoon.
The NY Post reports that after strolling "past several additional banks of cameras," being buzzed "through two doors into Dialite Imports" and "drawing their weapons," "the men spray-painted the lens of one surveillance camera." They forced owner Atul Shah to empty the safe and used duct tape to tie up him and another employee. Shah isn't allowed to comment, because of the insurance investigation, but it seems that the jewels were worth $4 million.
The Post and Daily News also remind readers that the heist is similar to the one pulled in Guy Ritchie's 2000 film Snatch, where robbers pose as Hasids in a jewelry caper. Here's surveillance video, plus some clips from Snatch, courtesy the Post:
Tagged
costume
diamond district
Hasidic Jews
hasids
midtown
robbery
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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