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SUSPECTS USE COAT TO SHIELD SNEAK THEFT
Ross Township, PA – January 20, 2010
Two male suspects and one female suspect working with a sales associate at a showcase distracted the sales associate by commenting on and looking at a necklace the sales associate was wearing. One of the male suspects draped his large coat on the showcase, reached under the coat and into the showcase, and took $8,500 worth of diamond earrings. The items were not discovered to be missing until closing time. See the video top right, which includes good full face pictures of the suspects. (Video is at upper right)
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JEWELRY CRIME VIDEOS |
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Ross Township, PA
January 20, 2010
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Anniston, AL
January 4, 2010 |
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SNEAK THIEF REACHES INTO SHOWCASE AND TAKES THREE WATCHES
Anniston, AL – January 4, 2010
A showcase was left open and a sales associate moved from that area of the showcase to assist another customer. At that point a heavy-set, black male suspect wearing a hat and coat and talking on a cell phone walked over to the showcase, reached in, and took three watches with a retail value of $27,000. The surveillance video above pictures the suspect reaching into the showcase and shows an excellent, full-face image of the suspect putting the watches in his pocket and walking out of the store. If you recognize the suspect or he has been in your store, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at 212-687-0328.
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The suspect pictured above is believed to have switched a fake diamond ring for a real diamond valued at $9,725 in a retail chain store in Flower Mound, TX on January 4, 2010. The suspect used a fake diamond which he had set in a mounting stolen in the grab and run of a similar diamond ring which was taken from a different branch of the same chain the previous week. The suspect is a black male, 5’10”, late 20s, thin build. If you have information about this suspect, please contact Detective Leflore of the Flower Mound, TX Police Department at 972-874-3340.
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ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS |
FRONT PAGE CRIME HEADLINES |
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POLICE ARREST FOUR ROOF-TOP BURGLARS IN TEXAS
Conroe, TX - January 11, 2010
At 2:00 a.m. the Conroe (TX) Police were notified by an alarm company about a possible burglary at a retail jewelry store. Police went to the scene and covered the front and rear of the building. As they checked the back, two men ran out the front door and were apprehended. A third suspect believed to have been the lookout was captured nearby, and the driver of the getaway car was caught in a vehicle nearby containing evidence linking him to the crime. The burglars had cut a hole in the roof of the store to gain entry, but they failed to disable the alarm system. The four Hispanic male suspects were charged with burglary of a building and engaging in organized criminal activity.
JEWELRY STORE OWNER SHOT
Valley Stream (LI) NY - December 9, 2009
Two male suspects and a female suspect entered a retail jewelry store at 7:30 p.m pretending to be customers. They pulled a gun on the owner, who they shot in the torso, but who managed to fire back at the suspects. The store owner was able to detain one 28-year old male suspect at the scene who was arrested. The female suspect (20) was later found and arrested, and the other male suspect (24) was arrested at his home later than night. The suspects were charged with attempted robbery, criminal use of a firearm and assault. |
RETAIL STORE HIT TWICE IN EIGHT DAYS
Pittsburgh, PA – January 11 and 19, 2010
On January 11th two black males wearing hoodies, bandanas and gloves entered a retail jewelry store. One smashed showcases with a crowbar and took merchandise while the other pointed a gun at the owner. The suspects were out of the store in 32 seconds. There were two customers and five employees on the floor at the time. The owner and staff remained calm and didn’t offer resistance, and the robbers left quickly. The owner was quoted as saying, “We’re trained that this is a possibility in our line of work, that this may happen at some point in time. We’re trained to do whatever they say. The goal is to get in quickly, get your merchandise and leave. Our goal is for everybody here to stay safe.” On January 19th burglars rammed an SUV into the front of the same store and took a few pieces of jewelry of minimal value. The owner was quoted as saying that there was virtually nothing left out at night for burglars to take. Merchandise was put away in a vault.
RECOMMENDATIONS: This is an example of a security conscious owner and staff who did the right things to minimize criminal risks and losses. In the armed robbery, they stayed calm, didn’t resist and avoided injury or death. In the burglary there was little for the burglars to take because product was locked up at night. It is impossible to prevent all crime. A key goal of a jeweler must be to minimize the risk of injury and losses when criminals do attack. Regular meetings with staff regarding security, and what to do in different crime situations, can help keep the staff safe and reduce losses when crimes occur.
SALES ASSOCIATE AND SUSPECT SHOT
Alamo, CA – December 3, 2009
At 7:30 p.m. there was an attempted robbery at a retail jewelry store. A suspect shot a jewelry store employee in the upper torso, who returned the fire and shot a male robber. When police arrived the suspect holed himself in the store and put a gun to his own head. Within an hour police personnel persuaded the suspect to come out of the store. Both the suspect and the sales associate were in the hospital and had surgery. |
JEWELRY STORE MANAGER SHOT AND ROBBED OF CASH DEPOSIT
Atlanta, GA – December 20, 2009
On a Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., just after the Cumberland Mall had closed, a retail jewelry store manager was shot multiple times and robbed of a cash deposit as he went to his car in the mall parking lot. The manager is recovering in the hospital. Police report that the suspect may have fled in a late 1990s green Toyota or Infinity.
RECOMMENDATIONS: It is safest to make cash deposits during the day, during banking hours, and to vary the time each day. Leave cash in the safe overnight. If you must make deposits at night, local police may be able to provide assistance.
JEWELRY STORE EMPLOYEE SHOT AND KILLED
New York, NY – January 27, 2010
At 12:25 p.m. an armed robber shot and killed an 71-year old male employee of a retail jewelry store located on Madison Avenue, between 75th and 76th Streets. The gunman shot the employee in the chest, and the employee later died at Lenox Hill Hospital. It is reported that victim refused to comply with the robbers demands to hand over merchandise. The robber escaped with a large quantity of jewelry. The robber is described as a black male, 30s, 5’ 10” and 150 lbs.
RECOMMENDATION: Follow the damands of an armed robber and do not resist. The goal should be to have the robber leave the store as soon as possible. |
SUMMARY OF TRAVELING SALESPERSON CASES  |
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SALESPERSON TASERED, PEDESTRIAN SHOT
Miami, FL - December 23, 2009
A salesperson was leaving a store in the Little Havana neighborhood while his associate waited in their vehicle. As the salesperson walked to the car, the salesperson was approached from behind by a lone suspect carrying a Taser and an automatic weapon. The suspect demanded the salesperson's bag, who replied that it was in the car. The suspect reached in the car and took the bag, and as he walked away, he turned and Tasered the salesperson. The suspect got into a white van driven by another suspect and drove away, followed in their car by the salesperson and his associate. Several blocks later one of the suspects got out of the van and fired several rounds at the jeweler's car, hitting a passerby on the street. The pedestrain was shot in the back, but survived. The getaway car was found some blocks away. The FBI and the salesperson's employer are offering a $20,000 reward. If you have information call the FBI at 305-944-9101.
RECOMMENDATION: Civilians should not atempt to follow suspects following a robbery. Gangs that attack the jewelry industry will not hesitate to use deadly physical force. |
JEWELRY SALESPERSON HIT IN HEAD WITH METAL POLE
Framingham, MA – January 20, 2010
Two male suspects attacked a jewelry salesperson at 9:53 p.m. as he walked from his car to his apartment building. He was hit in the head with a metal pole and was taken to the hospital. The suspect’s loud cries for help drew many people out onto their balconies, and the suspects fled without any jewelry. Police reported that the attack “wasn’t random.”
RECOMMENDATION: Attacks on jewelry salespersons occur regularly near their residences, particularly in their driveways or apartment and condominium parking lots and garages. It is essential for salespersons to always use evasive driving techniques before returning to their home to insure that they are not being followed. Evasive driving techniques may include such procedures as driving at a slow rate of speed and seeing if another car also slows down; making rapid u-turns and left turns; circling the block in a quiet residential neighborhood and seeing if anyone follows; pulling into a parking lot of a bank, convenience store or fast food restaurant, pausing, and driving out in the opposite direction. Gangs that attack the jewelry industry often use multiple suspects in multiple vehicles, so the fact that one car stops following may not end the risk. Before a salesperson returns home, he or she must be absolutely sure that gang members are not following them to their residence. |
Copyright 2009© Jewelers Security Alliance |
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