BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD (WBFF) — A family-owned Baltimore County jewelry store is working to rebuild after thieves reportedly smashed their way inside and stole an estimated $200,000 worth of jewelry and watches.
Surveillance video from Crown Jewelry on Reisterstown Road shows thieves breaking into the store, ransacking display cases and filling bags with merchandise before taking off.
“The biggest question, I guess, in our head would be why?” said Jane Orshanskiy, the owner’s daughter, who helps run the business, “Why did it happen? Why did they choose us?”
Orshanskiy spoke with FOX45 over the phone out of concern for her family’s security. She said her family has operated the store for about 10 years, specializing in custom jewelry and watch repairs.
“I was heartbroken for my dad because this business is his baby,” Orshanskiy said, “We’re not a big corporation. We’re not a big chain. We’re literally just a small store, and we’re serving our community.”
The family is still taking inventory of everything that was stolen, but Orshanskiy estimates the loss at roughly $200,000. She said everything from watches to engagement rings were taken.
Making matters worse, she says none of it was insured.
“We don’t have the expense to insure all of the inventory, especially after all the events that happened in the past,” Orshanskiy said.
She says the burglary is just the latest setback for the business. According to Orshanskiy, they were forced to close for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, about two years later, a frozen pipe at a neighboring business burst and flooded the store.
“We had to tear down the walls, the carpet, and completely remodel the whole store again,” she said.
Now, the family is rebuilding once more.
Repairs are underway at the store, where the damaged entrance has been boarded up. The family hopes to reopen within the next couple of weeks. Orshanskiy said she hopes sharing their story will encourage members of the community to support the small business as it works to recover.
“I hope they see our story and just would choose us for their special events that they have,” she said, “We survived many other things, so I’m sure we’ll survive this.”
Baltimore County police say they are still searching for the suspects and are asking anyone with information about the burglary to contact investigators. You can reach them at 410-887-4636.
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