Thieves Steal $100K in Jewels From Man Changing Tire Near NYC's Times Square, Then Flee

Three people stole $100,000 in jewels from a car as the driver changed a tire near New York City's Times Square last month, police said. Police are seeking the three suspected thieves, who got away in a taxi. Here's what you need to know about this brazen crime.

The victim, who was not identified, is a 55-year-old man. He was changing a tire outside the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on West 47th Street, just west of Broadway, on the afternoon of April 28. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Police are seeking three people, two men and a woman. None was identified. They are all in their 30s, and each is between 5-feet, 4-inches and 5-feet, 8-inches tall, police said.

One of the men began conversing with the victim as he changed a tire. The second man sneaked into the car while the victim was distracted and took a briefcase or suitcase from the back seat, police said. The case contained diamonds and jewelry worth $100,000, police said. It's not clear why the man had the jewels, but the incident took place near the city's Times Square and the Diamond District, police said. The woman acted as a lookout, police said.

The three left the scene in a taxi. They were last seen by the Queensboro Bridge, police said. It's not clear whether the police were able to identify the suspected thieves.

Police released photos of three people being sought in the incident. Police also asked anyone with information about the theft to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.