Video shows smash-and-grab at Stratford, Ont. jewelry store

Stratford police have released video of a smash-and-grab robbery at a Stratford, Ont., jewelry store as officers continue to search for the people responsible.

Police say early estimates place the value of the stolen jewelry at more than $100,000, although the total is not known yet.

The robbery happened shortly before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Paris Jewellers inside the Stratford Mall.

The video shows four masked people smashing glass display cases and grabbing fistfuls of jewelry.

Police say they were in and out in less than a minute.

Suspects smash display cases and grab jewelry inside a store at the Stratford Mall on Jan. 3, 2023. (Submitted/Stratford Police Service)

"They were completely covered in masks, hoods, gloves, black clothing,” Stratford police Const. Darren Fischer said. “We're not able to get any identifiers, but they do appear to be male."

“They all appear to be about average size and slim builds. So they do appear to be younger, but again we can’t confirm that.”

The suspects were last seen heading east on Ontario Street in a black four-door sedan – possibly a Chrysler 300 – on their way out of the city.

The two employees who were in the store at the time were not hurt.

“However these incidents can be extremely traumatic, so we're going to be providing support to all the individuals who were effected,” Fischer said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-271-4141.

Paris Jewellers remained closed Thursday and several smashed display cases were still visible at the store.

Stratford police outside the Stratford Mall on Jan. 3, 2024. (Courtesy: Brett Gillespie)