On a bright Thursday afternoon, the usually tranquil streets of West Seattle were thrown into chaos as a group of masked robbers stormed Menashe & Sons Jewelers, making off with an eye-watering $2 million in luxury goods in less than two minutes. The brazen daylight heist, which unfolded at noon on August 14, 2025, has left the community rattled and searching for answers, while the store’s owners and staff are grappling with the aftermath of a violation that feels all too personal.
According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), four masked suspects arrived at the jewelry store located on the 4500 block of California Avenue Southwest. The store, known for its strict security protocols—including a locked door that requires customers to be buzzed in—was no match for the robbers’ determination. Surveillance footage, reviewed by multiple outlets including KIRO Newsradio and Associated Press, shows the crew wielding hammers and axes, smashing through the locked glass front door with alarming speed and force.
Once inside, the suspects wasted no time. In a scene that lasted just about 90 seconds, they shattered six glass display cases, swiftly scooping up jewelry, diamonds, and luxury watches. SPD’s incident report, cited by KIRO Newsradio, details the staggering haul: one case alone contained $700,000 to $800,000 in Rolex watches, another held an emerald necklace valued at $125,000 alongside a platinum diamond, and two additional cases were filled with large amounts of gold jewelry. The total value of the stolen merchandise is estimated at around $2 million.
The robbery was not just about speed and brute force—it was also marked by intimidation. As described by police and corroborated by store staff, one of the masked suspects pointed a can of bear spray and a taser at employees, forcing co-owner Josh Menashe and his father to the ground. "What a piece of work. I'm going to tell you that's pretty scary business to get him on the ground ... I don't even have words for it," Menashe recounted to KING 5. Despite the threats, no injuries were reported—a small relief in an otherwise harrowing ordeal.
The suspects fled the scene in a getaway car before officers could arrive. Police canvassed the area but were unable to locate the perpetrators. The SPD’s Robbery Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Photo and Video Units quickly descended on the store, processing the scene for evidence and reviewing hours of surveillance footage in hopes of identifying the culprits. The investigation remains ongoing, with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the SPD’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
The Menashe family, who have run the jewelry store for decades, are no strangers to adversity. The store’s locked-door policy and other robust security measures were put in place after a 2022 crash-and-grab burglary, as reported by the West Seattle Blog. But this latest incident has left them—and the wider community—reeling. "We’re pretty shook up to tell you the truth," said Josh Menashe, the store’s co-owner, in an interview with KIRO Newsradio. "The staff is all like our family, we’re going to rally together and we’ll be stronger in the long run." He continued, "The violation you feel from the robbery, the shock — you want to run. You want to hide. You feel very violated."
Community support has poured in since the incident, with neighbors stopping by to deliver flowers, food, and words of encouragement. Local resident Keonii Maneha, who also happens to be a tenant of the Menashe family, told KIRO Newsradio, "It’s heartbreaking. They’re my landlords and I was in complete shock yesterday." The store’s involvement in local fundraisers and its much-loved holiday displays have made it a fixture in West Seattle, deepening the sense of collective loss and outrage.
The emotional toll on the staff and owners is palpable. Menashe told KIRO Newsradio, "We’re going to be in West Seattle - we love this business, this community is our life. This store is here to stay, and we are ready to rock and roll. This is a sad thing they’ve done to a long-time business. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else." The store announced on Instagram that it would be closed until Tuesday to allow time for cleanup and a full inventory of losses, assuring customers that all their personal jewelry and watches are safe despite the break-in.
Adding a layer of intrigue to the investigation, employees reported to KING 5 that they recognized one of the suspects from earlier in the week. This individual had visited the shop and inquired about the locations of specific items—a detail that raises questions about whether the robbery was a meticulously planned operation rather than a crime of opportunity.
The Menashes are not alone in their ordeal. Just one day before this robbery, Seattle police interrupted an apparent attempted robbery at another jewelry store—Ben Bridge—downtown. An officer spotted four men in ski masks approaching the store, but the suspects fled in a stolen vehicle when confronted. As of now, police have not determined whether the two incidents are connected, but the timing and similar tactics have left many wondering if a coordinated crew is targeting high-value jewelry stores in the area.
For now, the Menashe family and their staff are focused on healing and rebuilding. The store remains a beloved institution in West Seattle, and there is a sense among neighbors and customers that its legacy will endure despite this setback. As Jim Fuda of Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, who has known the Menashe family for 50 years, put it: "The Menashe's are a local staple in West Seattle."
While the community waits for answers and justice, the Menashes’ resilience stands as a testament to their deep roots in West Seattle. Their determination to stay open and serve their neighbors, even in the face of adversity, is a reminder that some things—like trust, community, and family—cannot be stolen, no matter how well-planned the heist.
