Daylight smash-and-grab heist in Philly

PHILADELPHIA, June 4 (UPI) -- Four masked men grabbed hundreds of thousands of dollars in expensive jewelry in a daring afternoon raid Thursday on a men's store in Center City Philadelphia.

The robbery occurred at about 2:15 p.m. at Boyds, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman, said the thieves worked in pairs, with the first two using a gun to threaten a security guard and then spraying him with Mace.

Two more men then smashed display cases with hammers, grabbing jewelry and watches valued at a minimum of $300,000.

Within half a minute, the four men left the store and escaped by car, Vanore said.

The robbery was filmed by security cameras, and investigators were hoping someone would recognize one of the thieves, WCAU-TV reported. Police also found blood on the smashed glass.

Michelle Carchedi, the store's creative director, told the Daily News a film shoot was scheduled Thursday night on the premises.