Lincoln Park jewelry store robbed in broad daylight

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police search for two men and a woman who robbed Holtzmann's Jewelry Store at Clark and Belden in Lincoln Park Friday night.

They struck in the afternoon and tied up the owners.

The intersection is a busy one both day and night, which made the robbery especially brazen when three armed robbers walked into Holtzmann Jewelry Store early Friday afternoon and left after clearing out the safe.

A hug for the owner of Holtzmann's Jewelers as word of the armed robbery spread quickly among customers. Many were anxious to make sure the owners are all right, and concerned about jewelry they have at the store.

Paul Crescenzo was planning to surprise his wife with new stones on her wedding ring.

"My wife came home crying and said that the place was robbed and we had our wedding band inside," he said.

The robbers cleared out the store's vault, but they left the wedding ring, which was not in the vault.

They preferred not to talk about it on camera, but the married couple who owns the store confirms three armed robbers duct taped them together in the basement and cleared out the vault of more than $200,000 worth of jewelry. The owners were able to eventually free themselves and call police, but the bold crime in the middle of the day has some neighbors concerned.

"It's known to be a nice area, but the second you're comfortable in your surroundings is when you're most vulnerable," said neighbor Sonja Arnesen.

As part of their investigation, police are looking at security camera video from a number of nearby businesses. The suspects include two men and a woman. And while relieved no one was hurt, employees at nearby businesses are reconsidering their own security measures.

"They were tied up, so it's really scary just because there are so many girls here," said salon employee Christina Southard.

Police will only confirm that they are still working on descriptions to be released of the three suspects. There have been no arrests made and police are still analyzing security camera footage.