NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- An employee grappled with armed smash-and-grab thieves as the pair tried to rob a Midtown Manhattan jewelry store, police said Tuesday as they released images of the suspects.
The 53-year-old employee was working at Ray's Midtown Jewelry, at Lexington Avenue and E. 45th Street, around 5:20 p.m. last Wednesday when two men stormed the shop.
One of the men brandished a gun and told the employee he'd "shoot him" if he didn't open the display case, police said.
Police said this man brandished a gun during the robbery and smashed a display case.NYPD
The second man whipped out a can of pepper spray as the first man started smashing the glass case with his gun, according to police.
The second man then jumped over the counter and snatched up the jewelry, sparking a struggle between him and the worker, police said.
Police said this man menaced the worker with pepper spray and grabbed jewelry during the robbery.NYPD
After the scuffle, the two thieves fled the store on foot with stolen jewelry valued at $1,000.
No serious injuries were reported, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The two suspects were last seen fleeing on Lexington Avenue.NYPD
