Surveillance footage captures midday robbery at high-end fashion boutique in Hackensack

Surveillance footage captured the daring midday robbery of a high-end clothing boutique in Hackensack on Wednesday. The footage, released Thursday by city police, shows the frenzied caper carried out in less than a minute as store personnel stood by, unable to stop the $68,000 "smash-and-grab" heist.

The video, recorded by security cameras in the Shops at Riverside Bottega Veneta store, shows a sales associate rush to lock the store's glass double doors as five men, dressed top-to-bottom in dark colors and wearing masks, approach the shop.

One of the suspects pulls at the door as the employee struggles with the lock before another joins the tug of war, the footage shows. Eventually, the two suspects get the upper hand as they push away the salesman and swing open the entrance for the rest of the crew, who are seen running throughout the shop wildly, yanking lavish accessories from their displays and severing the cords meant to secure them to the store's fixtures.

As the men ransacked the shop, the two employees stood aside, unable to do more than watch the bedlam unfold.

More:Woman who overdosed at Riverside Mall dies, authorities raise alarm on fentanyl

Within 30 seconds, the robbers bolt from the store, each carrying an armful of luxury items, leaving the showroom's chic wooden displays rocking back and forth.

Shortly after the robbery, Capt. Michael Antista of the Hackensack Police Department issued a statement alleging one of the men indicated he had a gun but never showed it to bystanders.

In the video, the suspect who stands by the door as a lookout appears to grip his waistband, but immediately runs into the shop to grab a bag from one of the displays, joining the revelry for a brief moment before the five men flee.

The suspects escaped the mall in a black-colored vehicle, Antista said Thursday.

Authorities urged witnesses with information to contact CrimeStoppers of Bergenfield, Englewood, Teaneck, Hackensack and Bogota. Anonymous tips can be submitted at bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling (844) 466-6789 anytime.