GUNMEN this morning barged into the Bijoux jewellery store — located next door to the police station in New Kingston — where they held several employees and customers hostage before making off with an undetermined some of cash and valuables.

The owner of the establishment declined to speak with representatives from the media about the incident, but one male worker told the Observer that the thugs disguised themselves as customers.

“Is about three of them come in, the man them all a look pon jewellery and were smelling cologne before they started,” said the employee, noting that he stepped outside the establishment minutes before the robbery started to unfold.

According to him, the men brandished their guns and ordered employees and workers into a small room at the rear of the premises, robbing them of their cell phones and money.

They then opened the showcases and stole several watches and other items before fleeing in a waiting motorcar.

No one was injured, however.

The entire incident took about 20 minutes but the police, who are posted in a neighbouring building, had no knowledge of it.

Investigators are now observing closed-circuit television footage in an attempt to identify the bandits.