Burglars steal $40,000 worth of jewelry from a Chicago suburb store

CALUMET CITY, Ill. (CBS) – A southern suburban jewelry store has again had to increase its security measures after it was among the numerous victims of the recent flash break-ins earlier this month.

The yellow pillars were just one of many security measures the owners of the Calumet City store have taken. They also installed a brand new security door and installed more cameras on Tuesday.

Surveillance video captured the moment on August 16 when a car entered the Dream Jewelers store before four masked thieves took everything they could. Although nearly all of the display cases were empty, store owners said they stole about $40,000 worth of jewelry.

The damage to the store itself was estimated at over $50,000.

It wasn’t the first time Dream Jewelers had to be rebuilt. During the 2020 unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the store was one of many looted in the Calumet City area.

“It’s difficult because we know there’s always a risk,” says Joanna DeJesus, owner of Dream Jewelers. “No matter how well you secure the outside or the inside, there’s always the latest trend of armed robbery.”

The shop owners said police had increased patrols in their area and they were working to hire armed security guards.