3 men cut hole in wall to break into Oak Lawn jewelry store before beating, robbing owner: police

OAK LAWN, Ill. (WLS) -- The search is on for three men who beat and robbed a south suburban jewelry store owner on Monday afternoon.

Police said the three entered an empty business next door to Ramallah Jewelry in Oak Lawn, and then cut a hole in the wall to get inside the store.

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Oak Lawn police said the three waited until the store's owner had just unlocked his business and was setting up shop, then they appeared out of the wall armed with a crowbar and possibly guns.

"They started demanding the keys to the safe and ordering him to get on the ground. At some point in that, one of the offenders struck him with a blunt object," said Oak Lawn Division Chief of Investigations Gerald Vetter.

As he lay cut and bleeding on the ground, police said the team of thieves ravaged what was already on display.

"They then started going through the store, breaking display cases and taking necklaces, bracelets, jewelry, and loose jewelry and stones," Vetter said.

They demanded the keys to the safe, but police said the owner didn't have the keys with him.

The entire ordeal was captured on surveillance cameras, and police released images of the three suspects in hopes someone will recognize them.

The store owner was treated on the scene for his minor injuries, police said. His family said they are more concerned for his safety than what was stolen.

Police asked anyone with information to contact them at 708-613-8477. Police did not immediately provide further information about the robbery.