BALLWIN, Mo. — Startling new surveillance footage shows an armed robbery at a Winchester jewelry store. The four suspects were disguised in frightening masks and the crime took place in broad daylight on Saturday.
No one was physically injured, but the robbers stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.
Islam Abdelmajed was back at work, less than 24 hours after the unthinkable happened in his family-owned jewelry shop.
"I really don't expect stuff like this to happen, especially around these areas," he said.
Cameras from outside Dahab Jewelry in the Winchester Plaza captured the moment just before noon on Saturday. The video shows, what looks like an old man, asking to be buzzed into the store. Abdelmajed thought it was any other customer and let the man inside.
"He opened the door, and another guy came in, running to me at gunpoint, and by that time, I knew it was too late to do anything," he said.
The footage from inside the shop shows the four suspects sprinting into the store. Abdelmajed and one employee were crouched behind the counter, while one of the suspects held a gun to their faces.
According to Abdelmajed, the masked robbers stole, at least, half a million dollars' worth of jewelry in just two minutes. Ballwin police have not confirmed how much was taken.
"The plaza was kind of busy at the time. It was around lunch time, and a lot of people were out, seeing what was going on and stuff. It's very, very traumatic," he said.
The trauma that has already led to change for Abdelmajed and his family. Now, armed security is outside their store's door.
"We're hoping this won't happen again. We'll probably be putting in more security alarms on the doors, and we'll be working on a new system for the store," he said.
Abdelmajed wants everyone to know they'll be safe when they visit the store, as this family-owned business pushes forward.
"We work hard to get this money, and it's a really big amount. It can do a lot, but we're going to stay strong. We're still in business," he said.
This same jewelry store was robbed two years ago in a grab and go robbery. The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ballwin Police Department at 636-227-9636.