A large diamond-shaped crystal belonging to an engagement ring sculpture was stolen from out front of a Yorkville jewelry shop early Saturday, the store’s owners say.
The 25-pound crystal was stolen around 1 a.m., from Louro and Sons Jewellers on Avenue Road.
The thief was caught on the store’s surveillance cameras, and the owners have released the video to the public in hopes of capturing the suspect.
“I got a call yesterday morning at 8:30 by the tenants upstairs, and they said they looked outside and the crystal was gone,” said Louis Louro to Global News.
In the video, the thief pries the diamond off the top of the seven-foot sculpture with a hammer.
The crystal has a US$7,000 value, according to the owners, who have offered a $1,000 reward for any information leading to its return.
“It’s that feeling of loss, somebody just taking something from you,” said Louro. “If anybody has ever been robbed, whether it’s in their home, I don’t think that feeling changes.”
The crystal has been a fixture in the neighbourhood since it’s unveiling at the store in December 2016.
Neighbourhood resident Sharon Londonliss told Global News she walks past the diamond every day, saying it has become something of a “fixture” in the area.
“It’s just shocking, it seems like such a safe neighbourhood and it’s just appalling that someone would take something like that,” said Londonliss.
“It’s really disturbing.”
The sculpture was designed by Louro, who said he did it for the community. He says people from all over the world come to take pictures of the sculpture.
Toronto police told Global News an investigation is underway.
—With files from Erica Vella