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Million Dollar Jewelry Heist Cripples Orange Park Business

 Roger Weeder  Dave Wax     Created: 7/10/2009 2:41:27 PM    Updated: 7/10/2009 11:34:00 PM
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ORANGE PARK, FL -- "Professionals at work" is how Mike Wild describes the jewelry heist that nearly cleaned out his business, Kingsley Jewelry.

Wild is still busy documenting the loss that he expects will climb above $1 million.

"Gold, silver and platinum. Anything that they could melt down," said Wild of what was carried away along with diamonds and expensive watches.

The burglary was reported on June 25 to Orange Park Police after Wild opened up his business on Kingsley Avenue.

The store's safe was cut open by high tech cutters powered by electricity, said Wild, who was told the process likely took six hours.

The thieves gained entrance into the jewelry store by cutting a hole in the roof. Once the thieves were inside, Wild says the security system, which included cameras, was disabled.

"Bottom line, this is a ring of professionals," said Wild, noting that he's been told dozens of other jewelry stores across the state have been burglarized in a similar fashion.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement would not comment on whether it's involved in investigating the jewelry heist. An FBI spokesman from the Jacksonville field office was unaware of the burglary.

Wild, who has 23 years invested the jewelry business, is back open for business.

"We're here, not doing any business, but we are here," said Wild.

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