Violent jewelry store robbery leaves elderly worker hospitalized in Queens

FLUSHING, Queens (WABC) -- Police are looking for two suspects wanted for beating up an elderly woman and stealing half a million dollars in jewelry from a store in Queens.

It happened Wednesday afternoon at Diamond Collect on 39th Avenue in Flushing owned by Eva Chen.
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Chen's 79-year-old mom is seen on surveillance video trying to fight off one suspect as a second charge towards the front door of the family-owned jewelry store.

"They pushed her down, drag her to the office, they pulled a gun, pointed it at her head," Chen said. "'open the safe, open the safe,' my mom said 'I don't know.' she was totally terrified."

The appointment-only jewelry store is isolated on the 2nd floor, from the street you'd never know it was there.



But in June, Chen noticed something strange on her surveillance footage.



"I noticed the guy trying to observing, see how many people inside, check my display, trying to pull the door," Chen said.
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A few days ago Chen got back-to-back phone calls from someone saying she would be receiving a package. She stepped out for a few minutes Wednesday and told her mom about the package and to be cautious when it arrived.

"I'm expecting an Amazon delivery but don't open the door, ask the guy to drop the parcel at the front door," Chen said she told her mother.

Surveillance video shows one suspect wearing an Amazon uniform carrying a box to the door and pacing outside of the building.

Her mom waited, thought the coast was clear and went to get the package. That's when she was attacked.



For roughly eight minutes they smashed glass displays and beat the victim.

Chen's mother was taken to New York Hospital Queens and is expected to be okay.
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Meanwhile, the suspects made off with $500,000 in stolen jewelry and Chen said she's considering moving her business out of the commercial building after the violent incident.

"I'm done with this building, moving out, the lack of management, lack of security, I'm done," Chen said.

Police are asking for the public's help tracking down both suspects, who were seen fleeing on foot southbound toward Prince Street.

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