In a brazen, midday heist that has left a Seattle neighborhood rattled, four masked thieves stormed Menashe & Sons Jewelers in West Seattle on August 14, 2025, making off with an estimated $2 million in diamonds, luxury watches, gold, and other precious items. The robbery, which unfolded in broad daylight just around noon, was over in a mere 90 seconds, according to police and multiple news outlets including the Associated Press and Newsweek.
Surveillance footage from inside the family-owned store captured the shocking scene: the suspects, faces obscured by masks and hoods, smashed through the locked glass front door with hammers, then ransacked six display cases with ruthless efficiency. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) reported that one of the display cases alone contained between $700,000 and $800,000 worth of Rolex watches, while another held an emerald necklace valued at $125,000, as well as a platinum diamond. Two additional cases were filled with gold jewelry, underscoring just how carefully the group targeted high-value items in their rapid raid.
During the robbery, one suspect menaced staff members with bear spray and a Taser, forcing employees to back away from the displays as the others swept the loot into black bags. Despite the threats, no injuries were reported—a small mercy, considering the chaos. As Josh Menashe, vice president of the store, told the Associated Press, "We're pretty shook up as a staff. We're gonna be closed for a while." The staff spent the hours after the robbery cleaning up shattered glass and working through a full inventory of the losses, a process that, given the scale of the theft, is sure to take time.
The entire operation was over in less than two minutes, according to Jim Fuda of Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, who told KOMO News, "They were in for one minute and forty seconds and out the door they went with almost $2 million in equipment." The suspects fled the scene in a getaway car, which managed to elude police responding to the scene. Despite an immediate search of the area, the perpetrators remain at large, and as of Sunday, no description of the vehicle or the suspects had been released to the public.
The robbery has drawn attention not only for its audacity but also for what it reveals about vulnerabilities in retail security, especially during busy daytime hours. The West Seattle Junction, where Menashe & Sons is located, is a bustling shopping and dining district, and the fact that such a high-value heist could occur so quickly and in broad daylight has unsettled both business owners and residents. As Newsweek noted, the incident has "underscored vulnerabilities in retail security during daytime hours and raised public safety concerns in a busy commercial corridor."
Eyewitnesses described the chaos from across the street. Bret Gibson, an employee at a gym opposite the jewelry store, recounted to KIRO, "You could still hear like a lot of breaking glass and banging around and stuff, so they were in there around noon still robbing the store while everyone was on the phone calling the cops." Gibson praised the store employees for their response, saying, "They all did the right thing, just get out of the store, let them do their thing, and just make sure everybody's safe." Police confirmed that the staff complied with the robbers' demands, which likely prevented any injuries.
In the aftermath, Menashe & Sons Jewelers moved quickly to reassure their customers. In a statement posted to Instagram, the store wrote, "To our valued customers and community. We want to assure you that all customer jewelry and watches are safe and were not among the items taken during the recent robbery at our store. Your trust means everything to us and we are grateful to share this important news with you. As we work to assess, regroup and repair the damage done, Menashe & Sons will be closed on Friday, Saturday and Monday." The store also expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from the West Seattle community, stating, "We are deeply thankful for the outpouring of support from the West Seattle community and from all those who have reached out with kind words and encouragement. We look forward to welcoming you back soon—stronger than ever."
The SPD, meanwhile, has launched a full-scale investigation. The Robbery Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Photo and Video Units have all been processing the scene, combing through security footage, and following investigative leads. Police have urged anyone with information to contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000, emphasizing that anonymous tips are welcome.
For Menashe & Sons, a fixture in the West Seattle community, the robbery is more than just a financial blow. The family-owned business has been serving customers for decades, and the emotional impact on staff and owners is palpable. As Josh Menashe told reporters, "We're going to be closed for a while," a statement reflecting both the need to recover from the shock and the practical realities of repairing the damage, both physical and psychological.
The crime has also sparked broader discussion about retail crime trends in Seattle and other major cities. While smash-and-grab thefts are not new, the scale and speed of this operation have raised questions about what more can be done to deter such incidents, especially in high-traffic commercial areas. The use of bear spray and Tasers to threaten employees adds another layer of concern, highlighting the risks faced by retail workers even in what might seem like safe, familiar environments.
As police continue their search for the suspects, the West Seattle community is left to pick up the pieces—quite literally in the case of Menashe & Sons, where staff have been sweeping up glass and tallying losses. The story has resonated widely, with local and national outlets reporting on both the details of the heist and the resilience of the affected business. For now, the store remains closed as the investigation unfolds, but the owners have promised to return, bolstered by community support and determined to move forward.
While the suspects may have evaded capture for now, the daylight heist at Menashe & Sons has left an indelible mark on Seattle’s retail landscape, serving as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by small businesses—and the strength they find in their communities during times of crisis.
