Violent smash and grab took place at a California jewelry store

IRVINE, Calif. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Three robbers took off with nearly a million dollars worth of merchandise, and police are now investigating whether the crew are connected to a string of other violent heists.

There was screaming and smashing of glass as three robbers ran into an Irvine jewelry store Monday, with plastic trash cans to haul away the goods.

"Wham..like that and a couple of them didn't break on the first blow, so they had to do it again..bam bam," said Alan, the jewelry store's owner who, for his protection, did not say his last name.

The store's security footage caught the robbery on camera and two women, whose identities have been blurred in the footage, laid face down during the robbery.

"I was standing there watching these two women on the floor and they jumped over them and broke the glass and the glass was showering over them. I was just so worried that they'd be in bad shape," Alan detailed.

Possible connection to other robberies

Alan said no one was injured in his shop, which is close to the 405 freeway and the UC Irvine campus.

He witnessed the chaos and flying glass as the men swung sledgehammers into 12 display cases where nearly a million dollars worth of diamonds and other jewelry was kept.

There were a few valuable pieces of jewelry that were recovered after the violent smash and grab robbery. The suspects dropped them on their way out, according to the owner. Among them, a three-and-a-half carat diamond engagement ring and a pair of earrings.

Witnesses having lunch in the center thought they were hearing gunshots. The trio was in and out in about a minute. By the time police arrived, the men had jumped into a waiting car. Officers say it's possible the thieves are linked to two recent heists in Ontario and Downey, where suspects again used kitchen trash cans for the loot.

"The fact that they would be willing to come in broad daylight, with customers in the store as well as three employees, and basically are stepping over the customers as they're smashing the glass and taking the property just shows you that there's no regard for anybody's safety or for our justice system. They feel they're not going to get caught," said Sgt. Katie Davies of the Irvine Police Department.