Manhattan jeweler fights off life-threatening armed robbers but loses $1,000 worth of rings

An employee at a jewelry store in Midtown, Manhattan, fought back armed robbers who threatened his life, but the scammers still managed to get away with $1,000 worth of rings, police said Tuesday.

The robbers changed their clothes after the robbery to avoid being caught, but the police released surveillance pictures taken both before and after the robbery.

The scammers ransacked Ray’s Midtown Jewelry on Lexington Avenue near E. 45th Street for about half an hour before entering around 5:20 p.m. Dec. 4, police said.

Police said the shooter waved his gun several times while an accomplice pulled out a pepper spray and threatened to shoot the 53-year-old worker if he didn’t open the window.

But the employee fought back, fighting an accomplice when the shooter smashed a glass display case with his gun.

The scammers escaped with $1,000 worth of rings, removing their masks and disguising themselves, police said. But after laying down his weapon, the shooter left ballistic evidence that the police found.

The worker was not hurt.

On Tuesday, police released images of the suspects and asked the public for help in identifying and tracking them down.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be confidential.