PHOTOS: Thieves cut through roof, steal hundreds of shoes in Florida mall heist

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (WJW) – Authorities in Florida are searching for suspects who investigators say pulled off an elaborate heist to steal thousands of dollars in shoes from a Martin County mall this week.

The thieves reportedly cut through Treasure Coast Mall's concrete roof before dropping into a Champs Sporting Goods location sometime between midnight and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said the suspects stole hundreds of pairs of Nike shoes, bagged them and loaded up a getaway vehicle parked outside before leaving the scene.

The sheriff's office shared photos from the scene, showing the square-shaped hole in the roof and several black trash bags and shoe boxes left behind.

"These thieves knew what they were doing. They knew what they were targeting. They went after the high-dollar shoes: Nikes, New Balance and those Air Jordan Nikes," Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said at a press conference this week, estimating the value of the stolen sneakers to be at least $40,000 to $50,000.

Budensiek added that there was no initial indication the heist was "an inside job," but confirmed that the thieves targeted the back storage room of the Champs location, rather than the front where customers usually shop.

"We've seen some attempted jewelry theft, through the rooftops here in Martin County, but it's been quite some period of time," the sheriff told a reporter who asked whether this type of heist was a first for the department. "But for an individual or a group of individuals to come in and steal — we're talking, you know, shoe boxes — 400 to 500 shoeboxes. That's a feat in and of itself."

He said the thieves, if caught, could face felony burglary and grand theft charges.

Officials are also asking the public to reach out to the sheriff's office at 772-220-7060 to report any suspicious activity they may have witnessed near the mall on Tuesday morning. Tipsters can also call the Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.

"[It's] not quite the Crown Jewels, but it’s clear these sneaker thieves put the same time and effort into their crime," the sheriff's department wrote on Facebook, referencing the jewels stolen from the Louvre in Paris over the weekend. "Now it’s our detectives’ turn to track them down."