Security device with a quick-release mechanism having an under-the-counter actuation module

An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise, comprising:

• a pedestal configured to be affixed to a top surface of a display counter, the pedestal having an appendage configured to reside within a slot of a display counter, wherein the pedestal is wider than the slot, while the appendage is narrower than the slot;
• a quick-release interface disposed on the pedestal;
• a securing bracket configured to couple to the article of merchandise, the securing bracket having a latch plate configured to slidingly mate with the quick-release interface;
• a latch disposed within the pedestal, the latch having a first position in which the latch is configured to engage the latch plate thereby restraining the latch plate against relative translation with respect to the quick-release interface and a second position in which the latch is configured to disengage the latch plate thereby enabling, thus releasing the latch plate from the quick-release interface and enabling removal of the article of merchandise from the pedestal;
• a housing configured to reside underneath the display counter and configured to couple to the appendage of the pedestal;
• an electromechanical actuator disposed within the housing, wherein the electrochemical actuator is configured to mechanically connect to the latch when the housing is coupled to the appendage of the pedestal, whereby actuation of the electromechanical actuator transitions the latch into the second position, thereby disengaging the latch from the latch plate and thus releasing the securing bracket from the quick-release interface of the pedestal.