Woman, 79, beaten and pistol-whipped during $500K jewelry heist in Queens

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NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A Queens jewelry store employee was beaten and pistol-whipped during a $500,000 heist in the middle of the afternoon on Wednesday, police said.

The NYPD released surveillance video Thursday of the two men they’re searching for in the brazen robbery at Diamonds by Direct in downtown Flushing.

Police are searching for two suspects in the braze, broad-daylight heist in Flushing on Feb. 22, 2023
Police are searching for two suspects in the braze, broad-daylight heist in Flushing on Feb. 22, 2023. Photo credit NYPD

The 79-year-old victim was working in the store at 39th Avenue and Prince Street around 2:30 p.m. when the men attacked her, police said.

They punched and kicked her and then struck her in the head with a handgun before raiding the business of gems.

They managed to snatch up a half-million dollars in jewelry before fleeing southbound toward Prince Street, police said.

The victim was transported to New York-Presbyterian Queens, where she was listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

Featured Image Photo Credit: NYPD