Jewel Stickup Near Grand Central

By Dan Gesslein 

Manhattan Voice

January 12, 2023

MANHATTAN - A jewelry store across the street from Grand Central Terminal was robbed at gunpoint during a rush hour stick up.

At around 5:20 pm on January 4, two men walked into Ray's Midtown Jewelry located at 459 Lexington Avenue and approached 53-year-old employee at the counter. One of the men pulled out a handgun and told the clerk that if he did not open the display case he would shoot him. The accomplice pulled out a can of pepper spray.

The gunman used the firearm to smash open the display case as his partner hopped over the counter and started scooping up pieces of jewelry.

Behind the counter the employee struggled with the thief and fought him off.  Both robbers fled the store.

Cops say the thieves made off with about $1,000 worth of jewelry.

The gunman is described as a man with a dark complexion and thin build. During the incident the individual was wearing a black face mask, a black hooded sweatshirt, a black backpack with red straps and light gray sweatpants. 

After the incident the individual changed his clothing and was last seen wearing a black backpack with red straps, a red hooded sweatshirt, red pants and black sneakers.

The second suspect is described as having a light complexion, a thin build, black hair, facial hair and tattoos on both forearms. During the incident, he was wearing a dark blue backpack, a black face mask, a black hooded sweatshirt, light gray pants and black sneakers. After the incident, the individual changed his clothing and was last seen wearing a dark blue backpack, a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/

or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.