A local jeweller and his staff got the fright of their lives on Tuesday afternoon when three masked men robbed their store.

Hammond Jewellery, at 20832 Lougheed Hwy., was the target of a smash and grab, according to manager Dean Davey.

“They definitely knew what they were doing,” Davey said.

Five cases were smashed during the robbery and an undetermined amount of jewelry was taken.

“It felt like a long time but it probably was over quickly,” he said about the length of time the thieves were in the store.

Five employees were working at the time.

“It was very upsetting to the staff,” Davey said.

This is the first time since the Davey family bought Hammond Jewellry four years ago that they have been robbed.