Thieves steal $10K in jewelry from La Verne shop

LA VERNE, Calif. (KABC) -- Thieves made off with more than $10,000 in jewelry from a La Verne shop after using sledgehammers to break into the store.

Police said a white van backed up to Micky's Jewelry Studio in the 2200 block of Foothill Boulevard around 1 a.m. Thursday.

Two suspects got out of the van and smashed the store's front window and door with sledgehammers.

The suspects cracked open display cases and grabbed anything they could get their hands on. Investigators said the entire heist took less than a minute.

Those familiar with Micky and her jewelry couldn't help but feel bad for the small business owner.

"She's a great person and she does not deserve this at all. This is just terrible," said Jeannette Alvarado, an area resident. "She's a great person. She does a lot for the community as well."

Police are now reviewing surveillance video of the crime. According to authorities, the footage shows one of the suspects wearing what appeared to be a hazmat suit, covering the suspect from head to toe. The second suspect was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask.

The video also caught a glimpse of the suspects' vehicle, which officials described as a utility van with two windows in the back and two doors.

If you have any information about this incident, you're urged to contact the La Verne Police Department.