GOOD VEHICLE DESCRIPTION LEADS TO ARRESTS
Colorado Springs, CO – January 13, 2012
Three suspects were arrested following the robbery of a retail jewelry store in which one of the suspects pistol-whipped a female employee. Witnesses were able to give a good description of the getaway vehicle to police. A chase ensued in which the robbers eventually crashed their car and then fled on foot, but were apprehended.

BLOOD FOUND AT BURGLARY SCENE LEADS TO ARRESTS
Strongsville, OH – January 12, 2012
Two suspects were arrested following a burglary of a retail jewelry store. Police went to the store when an alarm was received at 11:35 p.m. Police discovered forced entry to the premises and several smashed showcases. The police also discovered a significant amount of blood at the scene, indicating that a burglar had suffered cuts. Police quickly sent an alert to the area hospitals and learned that two suspects were seeking treatment for injuries consistent with ones that might have been sustained in the burglary. Police obtained a search warrant for the suspects’ vehicle and recovered jewelry taken in the burglary, and then arrested the two suspects.

BURGLARS DRIVE CAR THROUGH GLASS DOORS AND METAL SECURITY GATE OF TWO JEWELRY STORES
Atwater and Merced, CA - January 18, 2012
Police responded to a burglar alarm at 3:45 a.m. at a retail jewelry store in Merced, CA. Police discovered a light blue Honda Accord E.X. had been driven through the store's glass doors and metal security gate. When the police arrived the vehicle was running. The burglars smashed opened showcases and took jewelry merchandise. The owner of the store told the police that his other store in Atwater, CA had been burglarized in the same way two hours earlier. If you have information call Merced Police Detective Sgt. Scott Skinner at 209-385-4702.

GYPSY GANGS CARRY OUT MORE SNEAK THEFTS AT JEWELRY STORES
Plainview (Long Island), NY – December 15, 2011
Two male suspects and three female suspects entered a retail jewelry store, and the two males asked to look at earrings to distract the owner. At the same time the three female suspects, whose faces were covered with scarves, unlocked the display cases and removed jewelry. All five left the scene in a light blue Dodge Caravan, which contained two other people.

Bensalem, PA – December 3, 2011
Ten male and female suspects entered a retail jewelry store and distracted a sales associate while one female suspect snuck into the back room and took jewelry merchandise from an open safe. The safe was not closed and locked since the store had just opened for the day, and the sales associate had not finished filling the showcases. A few minutes after the suspects left, the sales associate discovered the safe was empty and called police.

RECOMMENDATION: JSA has received reports regarding the operation of gypsy gang(s) conducting numerous recent thefts like these at retail jewelry stores in Hoover, AL; Natick, MA, and from the Maryland and Chicago areas. These are classic gypsy distraction thefts. Whenever a large group of people enter your store at the same time, which can include men, women and children, the greatest degree of caution is required. Special caution is required if the women have their heads and faces partially covered with scarves, and are dressed in flowing dresses or skirts. All employees should focus their attention on the movements of the group, and no access can be permitted to back rooms, safes or open showcases. All showcases should be locked and all keys should be secured.

SUSPECTS ATTEMPT TO BREAK CAR WINDOWS
Austin, TX - December 11, 2011
A salesperson, carrying his line in a laptop case over his shoulder, was leaving a sales call at a retail jeweler located in a high-end strip mall. The salesperson opened the car door and put his bag on the passenger seat. He walked a few feet away and poured out a drink he was carrying. He got back in his car, started it and put it into reverse. He then heard a loud pounding on the driver's side and passenger side windows. The salesperson realized he was being robbed and ducked down to protect himself. The car rolled backwards and ran into another parked car. The suspects were unsuccessful in breaking the windows despite repeated hits. They gave up and ran to a waiting car and fled. The salesperson described his assailants as two Hispanic males, with hoodies and faces covered, with a third suspect driving the getaway car, a silver Infinity.

RECOMMENDATION: Always drive away from sales calls immediately. Before you leave the store, survey the scene in the parking lot, and go quickly to your car. Do not linger in the parking lot, or sit in the car, but rather drive away as quickly as possible.

THIEVES FAIL TO SMASH LAMINATED GLASS
Fresno, CA - January 11, 2012
Three male suspects took out hammers and tried to smash open showcases in a retail jewelry store. The female store owner ducked behind her desk and triggered an alarm. One of the suspects threw a large hammer at the owner, but missed her. The showcases had laminated glass and the suspects were unable to break them after 10-20 seconds of smashisng with their hammers. The owner thought that the suspects may have been in the store before, and that they attempted to smash the showcases with the most expensive jewelry.

RECOMMENDATION: Do not press a hold-up alarm while suspects are still in the store, or it could trigger deadly violence by the suspects. Hold-up alarms should not be used until the suspects have gone and the door is locked. It could also cause a hostage situation if the police arrive while the suspects are still in the store.