Three men, two of whom posed as construction workers, forced their way into a home in Queens and stole a safe containing jewelry worth about $3.2 million, police in New York City said Tuesday. The incident unfolded on October 16 around 2:20 p.m. in the Jamaica Hills neighborhood when the occupants were apparently away. According to the NYPD, the burglars forced open a rear door and loaded the safe and jewelry into a blue Hyundai Elantra before fleeing east on 84th Drive.

Bold Daytime Robbery in Plain Sight

Thieves in Construction Gear Steal $3.2 Million Jewelry Safe in Queens

Surveillance footage and witness descriptions show the three suspects arriving at the residence wearing construction-style outfits. Two men carried black backpacks and wore neon safety vests over black sweatshirts, white hard hats, and eye protection. The third suspect, serving as driver, wore a white hoodie, black pants, gray sneakers and black gloves. All three remain at large and the NYPD is soliciting tips from the public. According to People, the home appeared to belong to a jeweler, suggesting the robbery may have been targeted. The boldness of the midday break-in and the disguises used underlines the sophistication of the heist.

No Injuries, High Stakes for Police

No physical injuries were reported in the incident, but the scale of the theft and the method of entry have raised concerns among law enforcement about organized theft rings targeting luxury goods in residential settings. According to ABC7NY, the house near the intersection of 160th Street and 84th Drive was entered shortly after the suspects arrived and broke in through the rear door. The NYPD has urged anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

The investigation is ongoing and the elite nature of the stolen items, the size of the safe, and the daylight timing all point to a highly planned operation. For homeowners and residents of upscale neighborhoods, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly appearance-based assumptions—such as workers arriving in vests—can be exploited.