Four masked men smashed jewelry cases at a Woodbridge store Saturday night, grabbing nearly $1 million in gold and diamonds before escaping in less than a minute.
WEBDESK – HAJIRA IRFAN – NJNEWSLINE
In less than a minute, nearly $1 million in jewelry was gone. Four masked men stormed a Woodbridge jewelry store Saturday night, smashing glass cases with sledgehammers and grabbing gold and diamonds before disappearing into the night.
The robbery happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. at 9Lakha Jewelers on Oak Tree Road in Iselin, according to police and the store’s owners. Surveillance cameras captured the suspects as they carried out the remarkably fast heist, giving investigators crucial footage as they work to identify the men.
The Entire Heist Unfolded in Seconds
The suspects appeared to waste no time once they entered the store. Wearing masks and dark clothing, the men moved toward the jewelry displays and began smashing the glass cases with sledgehammers. Jewelry was quickly pulled from the shattered displays and stuffed into bags.
Then the men were gone. According to the owners, the entire robbery lasted only about 30 to 45 seconds. Police estimate that roughly $1 million worth of jewelry was stolen. The speed of the attack is now one of the most striking details of the investigation.
The Store Was Not Empty
The robbery happened while people were still inside the business. Co-owner Sonu Chauhan was in the store with a customer when the suspects burst in. As the men began destroying the display cases, Chauhan ran toward the office while the customer escaped from the store.
No injuries were reported. But while no one was physically hurt, the owners were left dealing with the devastating financial consequences of a robbery that lasted less than a minute.
A Dream Built Over Years Was Hit
For the Chauhans, the stolen jewelry represented years of work. The couple opened 9Lakha Jewelers only about a year ago after spending years saving money to finally build the business they had dreamed about. Now, a huge portion of their inventory is gone. The owners said they were grateful that nobody was seriously injured, but the loss has left them facing the difficult reality of rebuilding a young business after an extraordinarily costly robbery. What took years to save for and build was targeted in a matter of seconds.
Other Jewelry Stores Have Faced Similar Crimes
The robbery has also raised fresh concerns among business owners along Oak Tree Road. The Chauhans told News 12 that other jewelry stores in the area have been targeted in previous robberies. Their concerns highlight the vulnerability of businesses carrying large amounts of valuable gold and diamond jewelry. For store owners, the latest incident is another reminder of how quickly a routine business day can turn into a frightening confrontation.
Surveillance Footage May Help Investigators
Police are now reviewing surveillance footage showing the suspects before, during and after the robbery.
The video could provide investigators with important clues about the men, their vehicle and the way the robbery was carried out. Detectives are working to identify the suspects, who remain at large. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Damage Will Last Far Longer Than 45 Seconds
The thieves were inside the store for less than a minute. But for the owners, the consequences will not disappear nearly as quickly. Behind the shattered glass cases is a business built from years of saving, planning and hope. Now, instead of celebrating the store’s future, the owners are left facing empty displays and an enormous financial loss. A robbery that lasted less than 45 seconds may have taken only moments to execute, but for the family who built the store, recovering from what was lost could take years.
