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Crooks caught on video using sledgehammer to break through jewelry cases

OVIEDO, Fla. — Three men went to a Jared the Galleria of Jewelry store and pulled off a high-dollar heist in Oviedo Tuesday morning.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said the men got away with $150,000 in goods, mostly Tag Heuer watches.

Deputies need the public's help tracking down the sledgehammer-wielding thieves.

Deputies said the suspects smashed their way through the store early Tuesday morning.

Officials released surveillance video, hoping to generate leads.

 At about 3:30 Tuesday morning, the trio smashed their way into the Jared jewelry store on Red Bug Lake Road in Seminole County.

As the minutes went by, they quickly went from showcase to showcase with sledgehammers, breaking through the thick glass.

One man used such determination and power to get into a case that his body swung around and he almost fell down after a forceful hit. He used the sledgehammer to punch holes in the glass.

"I'm glad I didn't have my ring here to get fixed. 'Cause they would've kept it and I probably would've lost it," said Jared customer Luis Cortez.

A sign on the door warned customers that the Oviedo store was closed all day so workers could take inventory after the heist. Plywood covers the damage as a security officer watched over the place.

"It's very sad. It's not godly at all. I'm sorry -- I feel very badly for them," Cortez said.

After tossing the jewelry into duffel bags, the guys were gone in less than four minutes.

Deputies believe the trio got in and out through two windows in the back of the store.

Deputies think the burglars tried to get in from the side at first, but couldn't manage to get through the thick wall.

The Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information to call them.