SUSPECT IN WESTPORT HOMICIDE HAS COMMITTED SUICIDE IN SPAIN. The JSA has just received an unconfirmed report that, Robert Levene, the individual recently arrested in Spain and charged with the murder of Westport, CT jeweler, Yekutiel Zeevi, on 12/8/11, has committed suicide while incarcerated in Barcelona, Spain, while awaiting extradition to the Unite States.

WESTPORT, CT KILLER IDENTIIFED AND ARRESTED IN SPAIN. On 12/8/11, a robber, posing as a customer interested in purchasing high value diamonds, shot two jewelers before escaping with six diamonds valued at about $300,000. One victim died at the scene, but the other survived and was able to provide valuable assistance to the local and Federal investigators involved in the hunt for the suspect. Following a extraordinary investigation, (similar to a script from the TV show NCIS) by the Westport PD, the Connecticut State Police, the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, Interpol and at least four other local and Federal agencies, the suspect was identified, located in Spain and taken into custody by the Spanish National Police on January 23, 2012. He has been identified as Andrew Robert Levene, M/W/41, 5’9”, 180 lbs, a US citizen formerly residing in Connecticut. All of the coppers involved with this investigation deserve our praise and gratitude for apprehending this killer before he could kill again. However, based on the calculated, calm, cold blooded indifference displayed by the suspect in this case, I would encourage law enforcement to review any “cold case” files that could possibly have been the work of this suspect. Would anyone be surprised if he has killed before?

SUSPICIOUS PHONE CALLS. During the week of 1/2/12, personnel at jewelry store located in Hershey, PA, received several telephone calls from individuals who identified themselves as employees of the store’s alarm company. The caller said that they needed to verify the store’s password./pass code. The caller requested passwords, the stores address and employee information. Fortunately, the requested information was not provided and it was later determined that the call did not originate from their alarm company. COMMENT. The possible ramifications of this, had the information been provided to the caller, are obvious. All jewelers, retailers, manufactures, wholesalers, etc, must always be alert to possible methods employed by clever criminals. Owners and managers should schedule frequent staff meetings and discuss matters pertaining to crime prevention and security. JSA members should have all personnel read and be familiar with the information provided in the, “JSA Manual of Jewelry Security.” Excellent security training DVD’s are also available. NEVER GIVE OUT CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF OR YOUR BUSINESS OVER THE PHONE UNLESS YOU ORIGINATED THE CALL, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE NECCESSITY, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO AND THAT PERSON HAS A CLEAR NEED TO KNOW. IF IN DOUBT, JUST SAY “NO.”

JERK STEALS RING – IDENTIFIED ON FACEBOOK-ARRESTED. On 12/26/11, a young man spent over an hour looking at engagement rings at a jewelry store in Burlington, VT. At one point he asked to see a 1.01 carat solitaire ring, valued at $3,199, which he looked at for a moment before running out of the store and escaping with the ring. While the police were investigating and releasing information to the media regarding the loss, the young thief took his fiancé out to dinner, asked her to marry him and gave her the ring. She said yes and soon afterwards posted pictures of the ring on her Facebook page. Friends of the couple, who were aware of the information released by the authorities, put two and two together after seeing the Facebook postings and called the police. The young fellow was soon in custody, the ring was recovered and the wedding is being postponed for at about 1 ½ to 3 years. The Jerks fiancé told police, “thought he might have stolen the ring because I knew he didn’t have any money. “ COMMENT: Grab and Run thefts are extremely difficult to prevent, but losses can be greatly reduced by only showing one piece at a time. The sales associate in this case prevented a much larger loss by not allowing the suspect to examine more than one ring at a time. He had requested to see two rings at the same time so that he could make a comparison. Obviously, he would have fled with two rings had the sales associate not wisely denied his request.

JEWELERS BEWARE OF BOGUS “BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU” NOTIFICATION. Should you receive an email indicating that a complaint has been filed against you with the, “Council of Better business Bureaus,” do not click on the link, COMPLAINT REPORT, provided. The JSA has learned that the information is fraudulent and designed to plant malicious phishing malware in your computer when you open the link. The malware will then be able to monitor your activity on the computer and learn your banking, credit card and other sensitive financial information including usernames and passwords. COMMENT: IF IN DOUBT, DELETE AND THEN DELETE IT AGAIN FROM YOUR TRASH OR RECYCLING FOLDER. DO NOT OPEN OR CLICK ON ANY LINKS. DO NOT REPLY TO ANY SUSPICIOUS EMAIL YOU RECEIVE. (For more information visit the Better Business Bureau’s Web Site at, www.bbb.org, or contact the JSA, #212-687-0328)

TRAVELING JEWELRY SALESMAN STABBED IN LA. On 12/13/11, a salesman for a New York jewelry firm was seated in his car in Los Angeles, prior to making a call on at a local retail customer, when attacked. Two men smashed his window, pulled the salesman out of the car and during a struggle stabbed him in the leg before escaping. The men took their victim’s line bag, with jewelry valued at over $120,000, slashed the tires on his car to prevent him from following them and fled in a car operated by a third suspect. A passerby witnessed the attack and called 911. Fortunately, the victim’s wound was not life threatening. COMMENT: Most likely, the robbers followed the salesman from one of his previous retailer visits to the place of occurrence. Jewelers traveling with jewelry must always be alert to the possibility of being followed and take appropriate counter measures when a tail is spotted. The JSA Manual of Jewelry Security is an excellent source of information regarding effective security measures for traveling jewelry salespersons.

WESTPORT, CT JEWELER SHOT AND KILLED DURING ROBBERY. Last night, 12/8/11, at about 10 PM, the police received a call from an unidentified male saying that he and another man had been shot at YZ Jewelry Manufacturers, located at the Compo Shopping Center, 431 Post Road East, Westport, CT. The police responded and found the owner, Yakutiel Zeevi, and an associate with gunshot wounds. Both were removed to the hospital where the owner was pronounced dead. The other wounded individual is listed in critical condition but has been able to assist the investigators. The police have learned that the killer was at the location the day before the shooting and made an appointment to return last evening, apparently, as part of a plan to rob the jeweler. The police have released surveillance photographs (poor quality) of the suspect. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Westport Detective Bureau at #203-341-6080.

FBI WARNING – COMPLICATED PHISHING SCAM. Victims are being targeted via email involving personal and business accounts, financial institutions and jewelry stores. The email appears to be from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) alerting the recipient to a problem with a direct deposit transaction at their bank and informing them it was not processed. The email advises the user to click a link to enter a secure section of the web site, but instead it launches a virus that can monitor their key strokes and steal their inline banking credentials. Once the account is compromised, the hackers attack the financial institution as a distraction while they send fraudulent wire transfers to jewelry stores. Then couriers pick up jewelry “electronically” paid for using money from hacked accounts. The FBI recommends users never click a link in an email from unknown source. If you receive an email alert about a problem with bank accounts, call your bank directly. For more information on ways to stay safe online visit the FBI’s web site at www.fbi.gov. (Source: FBI Press release 12/5/11)

POLICE ARREST FOUR “PINK PANTHER’ BURGLARS IN GREECE. Last Friday, 11/25/11, four burglars who police say are members of the notorious “Pink Panthers,” were arrested after they burglarized a retail jeweler in Ilioupolis, Greece. The police have implicated them in 116 burglaries and armed robberies over the last two years throughout Europe. The police are looking for 12 additional members of this group. The suspects used a stolen vehicle to smash open the front of the jewelry store in Ilioupolis and then fled on stolen motorbikes before being apprehended. During the last several years many valuable items of jewelry, diamonds and watches, allegedly stolen by this gang in Europe, have been recovered in the United States. The FBI and the NYPD are actively investigating the activities of this gang in the US and are working closely with INTERPOL and numerous European law enforcement agencies, including Germany, England and France. (Source: Athens News, 12/2/11)

YUMA, AZ –“MY STORE AND MY LIVLIHOOD DESTROYED IN FIVE MINUTES.” It was about 3:38 AM, Saturday morning on 11/26/11, when the owner of a retail store on Pacific Avenue in Yuma, AZ, received a call from her alarm company. They advised the owner that there was motion detected in her store and she was being burglarized. The owner, the police and the alarm company responded but they were all too late to apprehend the burglars who escaped with most of the inventory, leaving shattered glass everywhere. All of the display cases were destroyed and all of the jewelry left in the cases overnight was gone. The police have no suspects and the victim has no product. COMMENT: This category of crime, known as a Three Minute Burglary, is the most common type of burglary to occur in the jewelry industry. It represents about 70% of the total number of burglaries perpetrated against retail jewelers. It is also a crime that can be eliminated tomorrow if all of the jewelers in the US would secure their inventory out of sight tonight. Even if it will not fit in a stores safe, securing jewelry in an out of sight file cabinet is safer than leaving it in a location visible to would-be burglars looking for easy pickings. Don’t let what happened in Yuma happen to you. Put your inventory, even the inexpensive items, away out of sight overnight, and have a very Happy and Prosperous Holiday Season. You will also sleep much better.

JEWELERS BEWARE OF WIRE SCAM. The JSA has been advised by the FBI that a cleaver thief, possibly of eastern European background, has been victimizing jewelers using an old trick know as a “Wire Scam.” The suspect calls his victims, orders high-end jewelry and states that he will pay with a wire transfer to the jeweler’s account. The intended victim provides his account information and a short time later someone appears to pick up the jewelry. After the jeweler checks with his bank and learns that the transfer of funds is categorized as “Pending”, the jewelry is turned over to the suspect who leaves and is not seen again. Some time later the jeweler learns from his bank that the transfer was cancelled about the same time the suspect left with the jewelry. Most of this thief’s victims have been in the New York area but obviously this could happen anywhere. Jewelers should be aware that “Pending” does not mean a money transfer has been completed. This is an old trick and is easily prevented.

THIEF ATTEMPTED TO BUY A ROLEX WITH FAKE CREDIT CARD. On 11/3/11, at about 8:30 PM a suspect, posing as a customer, produced a MI Driver’s License and a Discover credit card with the name, Manuel Calderon, and attempted to purchase a $6,000 Rolex time piece at a retail jewelry store in Altoona, PA. When the retailer swiped the card the magnetic strip would not work with the machine. An attempt to manually enter the card also failed. The suspect, appearing nervous, then walked outside and said that he was going to call his bank. A sales associate also walked outside and observed the suspect enter a black Mercedes, operated by another person, and drive off. The credit card company later confirmed that the card presented by the suspect was a fake. Upon close examination of a copy the driver’s license used by the suspect, it also appears to be a fake since it indicates that the licensee has black eyes. I have never met anyone with black eyes, except the kind you get after being punched. COMMENT: Soon we will be into the holiday season and retailers will, hopefully, experience a big increase in store activity. Unfortunately, this time of the year also will be viewed by thieves as an opportunity to steal. Criminals will count on jewelers being too busy to catch them stealing when their store is full of customers. The intended victim in this case was alert, followed proper procedures, and prevented a loss. This would be a good time for retailers to have a meeting with the entire staff and review matters relate to loss prevention and, if not already in place, establish an internal alert system for the holidays.

ROOFTOP BURGLARIES CONTINUE IN FLORIDA. Earlier this year the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), working with numerous local and Federal law enforcement agencies, arrested a gang of burglars and charged them in connection with approximately 21 burglaries of pawn shops and retail jewelry stores up and down the east coast. All those charged were described as Cuban Americans residing in Southeast Florida. However, rooftop burglaries are still occurring. The most recent occurred during the early morning hours of 10/18/11. Two holes were cut into the roof of a retail jewelery store on Kennedy Blvd, in Tampa, FL. One of the holes was directly over a closet that contained the alarm system, which was disabled by the burglars. The burglars attacked two safes with a torch, entered one and fled with approximately $250,000 worth of watches, diamonds, silver bars, and coins, scrap gold and antique jewelry. Little is known at this time regarding the level of protection of the alarm system, that seems to have been easily defeated, or the possible UL rating for the safe that was entered with a torch. COMMENTS: Jewelry businesses should be protected on all six sides, including the roof. If your burglar alarm system does not send a signal when someone cuts two holes in your roof, it is inadequate and needs to be upgraded. Any safe with a UL rating of less than TRTL15X6 is also, in the opinion of the JSA, inadequate for use by a retail jewelry business. Based only on the description of the defeated safe provided by the police, this safe did not have the appropriate UL classification. Anyone with information regarding this burglary is asked to contact Det. Lloyd Borden, Tampa PD, #813-354-6633, cell:#813-624-6480, email: Lloyd.borden@tampagov.net

WHILE A JURY DELIBERATES REGARDING AN OLD ROBBERY CHARGE, THE DEFENDANT COMMITS A LUNCH TIME GRAB AND RUN AT A FRANKLIN, TN JEWELRY STORE. According to an AP news story, on 9/30/11, a fellow by the name of Mark Burgin was awaiting a jury’s verdict regarding a knifepoint robbery he was accused of committing at a truck stop in 2009. While the court took a lunch break, Burgin visited a nearby jewelry store and stole $45,000 worth of jewelry and then ran back to court, a block away, when a sales associate confronted him. The police put things together quickly and Burgin was identified. The judge was advised of what had happened and after the jury returned a guilty verdict in the 2009 robbery, Burgin was arrested for his latest criminal act. You can’t make this stuff up!

CLARIFICATION OF INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY POSTED REGARDING A HOME INVASION IN NORWICH, CT, BY AN UNIDENTIFIED AUTHOR ON 9/29/11. There was a home invasion of a retail jeweler’s residence on 11/12/09 in Griswold, CT, not in Norwich as is indicated in the 11/29 posted message. The victim’s business location, located in Norwich, was burglarized by two of the suspects after the jeweler and his wife were overpowered and tied up at their home. The investigation is being handled by Det. Joseph Masson of the CT State Police. He can be reached at, #860-848-6500 or email: Joseph.Masson@po.state.ct.us. Anyone with information regarding this frightening event is requested to contact the police ASAP. If you prefer, you can remain anonymous. You will not be required to identify yourself. Just tell the police whatever information you have and that you don’t wish to identify yourself. Your call will be greatly appreciated. You can also contact the JSA at #1-800-537-0067 and we will pass your information on to the appropriate police agency for you.

Still unsolved after almost 2 years• On 11/12/09 a Norwich, Connecticut Jewelry Store Manager and his wife had an armed home invasion in the early hours of the evening and the Norwich Store had a burglary. The 2-3 masked male Caucasians broke into the house and coerced the manager for his store keys, alarm codes and safe combinations at gunpoint. They then tied and barricaded them. They stole their car, drove to the jewelry store, entered and de-armed the store at approximately 8AM. They tried repeatedly to open the safes but were unsuccessful. At the last minute they stole Citizen Watches from the showcase. They then left and torched the manager's car in a nearby town. These criminals are still on the loose.

BURGLARS HIT GEORGIA RETAILER FOR $2.5 MILLION IN CASH, JEWELRY AND GOLD. On 9/26/11, at about 8:30 AM, construction workers called police after discovering a wall broken down between a retail jewelry store and another business in Cumming, Georgia. The police determined that after gaining entry the burglars broke into a vault and stole most of the store’s inventory. Fast acting police have charged two men, Kenardis Demaine Holloway, 32 and Carl Henry Bowser, 26, with burglary in connection with this case. $35,000 in cash has also been recovered. COMMENT: Jewelers must insure that all six sides of their stores are protected by their burglar alarm system. Jewelers must respond to ALL signals, no matter what the diagnosis offered by the alarm company, and allow the police to conduct an internal inspection of the store. It is very common for burglars to take advantage of an unprotected adjacent wall to gain entry into a jewelry location. In many instances a wall is constructed of two layers of ½ inch sheet rock, a couple of 2x4’s and is easily compromised.

HOME INVASION – RETAIL JEWELER – SHOT FIRED - ATLANTA. On 9/13/11, a retail jeweler from Lawrenceville, GA, was robbed at gun point as he entered his garage at his residence in Atlanta. Initial reports indicated that the robbers were waiting for him and fired a shot past the jeweler’s head to scare him into cooperating; they also forced his wife to take her clothes off. Fortunately, there were no life threatening injuries. The robbers fled with cash and customers jewelry. COMMENT: Without a doubt, having your home invade by armed criminals is a jeweler’s worst nightmare. The JSA receives reports of home invasions several times a year and in each instance it is clear that they are never just crimes of opportunity. This category of criminal activity involves planning and periods of surveillance of the targeted victims by the criminals. Victims and their family members may be followed extensively to learn their patterns of movement and the best time for the criminals to act. It is during the preliminary period, before the actually invasion takes place, that the bad guys are vulnerable to being observed by their victims. Every jeweler, especially retailers and their families must constantly be alert to being followed or observing strangers watching their place of business of residence. JEWELERS SHOULD NEVER TAKE JEWELRY HOME. Additional information pertaining to this category of crime can be found in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 29 to 32.

FBI – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - GYPSY THEFT GROUP. On 9/9/11, the JSA posted a message regarding a suspected Gypsy theft group, wanted in connection with a theft on 9/3/11 in Natick, MA and another similar loss on 9/7/11 in Catonsville, MD. The MO in both cases involved multiple suspects entering a retail jewelry location, in one incident children were also used to distract their victims while group members stole jewelry. The JSA has been contacted by the FBI in connection with these and other losses the suspects are thought to be responsible for in Texas and New York. FBI Special Agent Dan McCaffrey, #718-286-7301, Daniel.mccaffrey@ic.fbi.gov, requests anyone with information regarding this group to contact him as soon as possible.

HOUSTON,TX DETECTIVES TAKE DOWN HIGH-TECH BURGLARY GANG. The gang was small in numbers but very good at breaking into jewelry stores in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Oklahoma and possibly Florida since as far back as the year 2000. They actually opened there own gold and silver store in Dallas that ironically was burglarized by other burglars. The police are searching for one member who managed to elude capture and may have left the country. One of the numerous burglaries they are charged with occurred during Super Bowl weekend 2011, in which they stole approximately $6 million in gold, jewelry and watches. Their usual MO was to cut a hole in the roof of a jewelry location, disable to alarm and video systems and then attack a vault or safe. Apparently, one gang member was an electrician and knew a lot about alarm systems and how to disable them. They liked to steal gold, which they melted down and sold to a refinery for 99% of market value. This gang was very good at not getting caught but thanks to a long term investigation by some dedicated Texas coppers, this gang has been neutralized. However, the investigation is far from complete and future, far reaching inquiries are certain to result in others being charged. Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Det/Sgt Peter Schneider at, Peter.Schneider@cityofhouston.net

SUSPECTED GYPSY THEFT GROUP HIT TWO RETAIL JEWELRY STORES. The first loss occurred on 9/3/11 in Natick, MA. At least five male and female adults, one carrying a small child, distracted the store owner and sales staff while one female managed to sneak into a rear office and steal a quantity of jewelry. One female suspect was seen on a surveillance tape lifting he skirt over her head while another placed the stolen jewelry under the skirt and out of view. Similar methods were used during the second loss, which occurred in Catonsville, MD.The suspects in Catonsville fit the description of the thieves in Natick, MA. The suspects arrived and left in a green minivan. These incidents and the methods used are classic gypsy distraction tactics. Any time a large group enters your store you must remain alert and not allow yourself to be distracted. If you suspect you are going to be victimized call 911.

SECURITY GUARD IN CRITICAL CONDITION. One day last week, at about 11 AM, three armed suspects robbed a retail jewelry store located in an area of Los Angeles known as, Koreatown. One of the suspects immediately approached the store’s security guard and held him at gunpoint, while the others smashed display cases with a hammer and stole jewelry. After escaping out the back door, the suspects beat another security guard in the parking lot with a hammer. That guard was subsequently taken to the hospital in critical condition and is expected to recover. RECOMMENDATION: Jewelers should give careful consideration and conduct extensive research on the subject when considering bringing a security guard (armed or unarmed) on premises. Consultation with your insurance company, local law enforcement, and your legal consul should be considered as important preliminary steps. You can also contact the JSA and ask about the historical history of incidents involving security guards.

TRAVELING SALESMAN FROM NY – ROBBED AT KNIFEPOINT IN NORTH CAROLINA. On 8/15/11, after making sales calls all day, the victim drove his rental car to his hotel and pulled into the hotel parking lot. Almost immediately, another vehicle stopped directly behind, blocking the jeweler’s car from backing out. A man emerged from the blocking car with a bandana covering his face and a knife in his hand. He punctured both tires on the driver’s side of the car, smashed windows and removed the two line bags from the trunk. The loss was considerable. The victim did not resist and fortunately, was not injured. ATTACKS BY SOUTH AMERICAN GANGS ARE AT AN ALL TIME LOW, BUT THEY STILL OCCUR. JEWELERS TRAVELING WITH JEWELRY MUST CONSTANTLY BE VIGILANT AND CHECKING TO SEE IF THEY ARE BEING FOLLOWED. IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING YOU, ONE OPTION IS TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION. OTHER OPTIONS AND STRATIGIES CAN BE FOUND IN THE “JSA MANUAL OF JEWELRY SECURITY.”

5 SOUTH AMERICAN (SATG) THIEVES ARRESTED - KUALA LUMPUR AIRPORT. Police arrested five South American jewelry thieves who stole jewelry from several jewelers who were traveling home after having attended a jewelry show in Kuala Lumpur on 7/10. In two separate incidents the victims were distracted by gang members asking for directions, while others, unnoticed, stole their line bags. During one of the thefts the jeweler’s bag was replaced with a similar looking bag that contained clothing and wigs. In both incidents the victims failed to maintain physical control of their bags and allowed themselves to be distracted by strangers asking for directions. A very old ploy that apparently still works for the thieves. (Source: SaferGems, UK) RECOMMENDATIONS: These incidents should be considered a reminder to other jewelers, who travel with jewelry, that they must remain alert and aware of what is going on around them, no matter where they are! Traveling with jewelry or not, you should immediately become suspicious if asked for directions. Especially, at an airport where hundreds of airport employees are constantly visible and would be considered the best source of information by a legitimate traveler. If approached, maintain physical control of your bags and other possessions and say, “I can’t help you.” Don’t apologize and do not engage in any further conversation. You will not be arrested if you offend someone. If the individual persists, call 911.

HOME INVASION – PHILADELPHIA – RETAILER REPORTS $1 MIL LOSS. Early yesterday morning, 8/11/11, the owner of a retail jewelry store on South Street, was sleeping in his residence, located above his store, when he was awakened by several men with guns. The armed men forced the jeweler to give them keys to the store, tied him up, and then fled with large quantity jewelry from the store. The jeweler, who was not injured, said there were three to five armed men involved and estimated his loss to be about $1 million.

WALLKILL NY POLICE INVESTIGATING STOLEN GOLD. The Wallkill Police department is investigating a burglary that involved the theft of five gold bars, weighing 1 kilo each, and two I kilo bags of BB size gold balls. The bars are stamped “Johnson Matthey Canada” with a serial number (unknown at this time) stamped below. Anyone with information regarding this matter, which occurred on 8/2/11, or if someone should offer to sell gold fitting the above description, please contact Det. Hults, Wallkill PD, Detective Bureau, #845-692-6757 or email at chults@townofwallkill.com

RECIDIVIST ARRESTED - SHOT JEWELER DURING ROBBERY AT STUDIO JEWELERS, BROOKLYN, NY. (See previous message on 7/25.) On 7/25/11, two armed men announced a robbery and one of them shot a retail jewelry store owner in the stomach. After loading up with jewelry the robbers fled, but one of them, later identified as Felix Lagoa, M/H/50 left his fingerprints behind. A surveillance video shows Lagoa’s accomplice wearing gloves. The video also clearly shows Lagoa, without gloves, touching a display case at the location where his fingerprints were recovered. NYPD Detectives were able to lift those prints and identify the suspect, who was arrested five days later at his residence in the Sunset Park section of Bklyn. Interestingly, Lagoa had previously served 25 years in prison in connection with a conviction for manslaughter and robbery. It appears that Mr. Lagoa was not rehabilitated during his last stay in prison. Perhaps, another similar sentence will have more positive results. Investigators are still looking for Lagoa’s accomplice. The shooting victim remains in serious condition and in a medically induced coma.

US POSTAL INSPECTORS ARREST ROGUE POSTMAN. It is not generally known by the average citizen that the US Post Office has its own internal team of investigators. They are known as the United States Postal Inspection Service, with headquarters in DC and divisional offices throughout the country. They investigate all matters that relate to the US Mail, including suspected internal criminal activity. They are highly regarded within the law enforcement community on a nationwide basis. Several months ago investigators from the inspectional service began receiving complaints of mailed packages, containing jewelry, disappearing prior to being delivered to jewelers doing business on 47th Street in the NYC Diamond District. More than 25 packages disappeared in a six month period. The inspectors from the Manhattan office conducted an intensive investigation that culminated on 7/22/11 with the arrest of a mail carrier, Shameek Dickerson, while he sat in his car parked inside a postal office garage. He was taken into custody while actually opening a package he had just stolen and that he believed contained jewelry. The package also contained a tracking device with a silent alarm that activated when the package was opened. Congratulations to the US Postal Inspection Service for a job well done. If it involves the US mail, they are the folks to contact. Their contact information can be found in the phone book or the internet or by calling the JSA at #800-537-0067.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - JEWELER SHOT DURING ROBBERY. Earlier today, 7/25/11, at about 12:45 PM, a 55 year old jeweler was shot by two men during an apparent robbery at, Studio Jewelers, Greenpoint, Bklyn. The jeweler was taken to Bellevue hospital and is being treated for a gunshot wound to his stomach. The police are looking for two men in connection with this robbery. Limited information is available at this time.

GULFPORT, MS – JEWELER ROBBED AND BEATEN – DIES FROM INJURIES. On July 5, 2011, a customer walked into, World Gold and Silver Buyers jewelry store, on Pass Road, and found the owner, James Wilder, on the floor bleeding from his head. The store was ransacked and the jeweler was obviously beaten by robbers. Wilder was removed to the hospital where he subsequently died of his injuries on July 9. The police questioned and released two individuals and have no suspects. Forensic evidence collected at the scene is being examined at the Mississippi Crime Lab and the police are confident that evidence will result in an arrest.

WALNUT CREEK, CA. SUSPECT USED STOLEN AMEX TO PURCHASE JEWELRY. On 7/7/2011 at approx. 1400 hrs. a male suspect slected and purchased two jewelry items from Davidson & Licht Jewelers with a stolen American Express card. The suspect was described as a Middle Eastern Male, 6-00 to 6-02, 220 to 230 lbs., 25 to 30 years old, brown hair, thin brown goatee and a scar on his left temple. The items purchased with the stolen card were a men's Rolex serial V724100 and a ladies Hearts on Fire diamond ring, #HBRTCD0065PLA. If you have any information please contact the Walnut Creek Police Dept. and reference WCPD Case 11-21728.

On Sunday July 10th,around 12:15 my van was broken into and over one million dolloars in jewlery was stolen. The content was most Greek sorority and fraternity jewelry. From all indications we were followed from Indianapolis to St. Louis following a show. According to witnesses the robbers were Hispanic. There were at least 3 of them. The drove a light color possibly light green or gray Dodge Caravan. They got back on the highway (270 east) headed back toward Indy. The also punctured our tire sometime prior to us losading up to head back to St. Louis in what we now belive was to make us stop on the highwas where they more than likely planned to rob us. Once that did not happen the took the first opportunity our stopping least than a mile for our home to rob us. The the bulk of the jewlery was 14kt diamonds. The merchadise included bracelet, rings, pendant, and earring. Please go to our website @www.goldconnection.com to see samples of merchadise. We also had some a box of wedding ring mountings, a few general tennis bracelet on of which was 10 kts, diamond studs, gold bangles, and gold chains. We had a large number of diamond triangle pendants and rings as this is the symbol for one of the sororities. We also had a large amount of ivy leaf shape rings, pendants, as well as this shape being mounted on bracelets. This is the shape for another sorority. At least one style of our gold like bracelet has our logo under on link. The logo is a diamond with the letters TGC and cc, as this design was copy right. I can not print the Greek symbols as the website will not allow me change the font style. Sorry, but if you go to our website you will find them. Please go to the Black greek website for their Greek symbols. please keep in mind 98% of the jewelry has no meaning to the average every day person unless you belong to one of the groups. Therefore, we believe they will try on sell it to pawn shops and places that buy gold. If you have any information please contact me, Lee Bradley @(314)486-0900 or my wife, Joyce Bradley @ (314)486-0906. My email address is lbradley@goldconnection.com. Thank you for any information you may provided Lee Bradley The Gold Connection

HOUSTON TX – POLICE ARREST SHOOTER IN CONNECTION WITH HOMICIDE OF OWNER AT JAVA GOLD JEWELRY ON 7/5/11. According to a report from Eyewitness News, KTRK Houston, the police have arrested and charged, Anthony Parks, M/B/23, with the murder of Mehmood Ghaznavi, the owner of Java Gold Jewelers. In April, 2010, robbers held up the store and pistol whipped the owner. It is believed that as a result of that experience the owner may have purchased a handgun. Excellent police work by the Houston PD.

HOUSTON TX - JEWELER DIES IN SHOOTOUT WITH ROBBERS. The Houston PD reported that two armed robbers walked into Java Gold Jewelry on 7/5/11, near the end of the business day and announced a robbery. The owner pulled out his gun and exchanged shots with the robbers, who ran from the crime scene and escaped. Unfortunately, the owner, Mehmood Ghaznavi, was hit by one of the robber’s bullets and subsequently died. Another individual, apparently an innocent bystander, was also wounded. It has not yet been determined if he was hit by a bullet from the robber’s or the jeweler’s gun. The wounded individual is expected to recover. Anyone with information regarding this case can call the Houston, TX, Police Department at #713-308-1600, or the JSA at #800-537-0067. This case is another tragic example of why the JSA recommends that jewelers do not keep guns in their stores. We can only speculate exactly what motivated the jeweler to engage the bad guys as he did. Whatever the motivation, in my opinion, it was not sufficient to risk and lose his life in the protection of his inventory. The JSA sends our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

DISGUISED AS A PRIEST – ARMED ROBBER HITS ROME JEWELRY STORE. On 7/4/11, at about 8 PM, an armed robber dressed as a priest, was buzzed into a jewelry store by unsuspecting employees. Once in, he pulled a gun and locked everyone in a back room before escaping with about 500.000 Euro worth of jewelry. In the past the JSA has received reports of many different disguises used by the bad guys/gals to gain entrance to a targeted jewelry store. Some have used wheel chairs, crutches, men dressed as women, some wearing Hazardous Material protective clothing, military uniforms, construction work clothes, utility company uniforms, others posing as professional athletes, pushing baby strollers with life like dolls. There was even a case in the not too distant past where two robbers were disguised as Rabbis; however, I cannot recall any case where an armed robber dressed as a priest. For this reason, even though this incident occurred in Italy, we thought it wise to share this information with you. Obviously, it was impossible for the victims in this case to know that the priest was actually an armed and dangerous individual, and had no choice but to allow him to enter. We can all imagine the shock that the employees experienced when he pulled out a gun. Fortunately, and very wisely, the employees did not panic or resist and followed the robber’s orders. Not an easy thing to do during such a stressful confrontation. NEVER RESIST WHEN CONFRONTED BY AN ARMED ROBBER WHO WANTS YOUR JEWELRY. WHEN THE ROBBER LEAVES, CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. YOUR FAMILY WILL BE PLEASED WITH YOUR ACTIONS AND HAPPY THAT YOU WERE NOT INJURED.

JEWELER KILLS 2 ARMED ROBBERS. During the late morning of 6/24/11, one individual waited in a car outside of Monaco Jlrs, a retail jewelry store in San Juan Capistrano, CA, while his three fellow gang members from LA, entered the store, pistol-whipped the manager and forced the owner’s wife and son to the floor at gun point. At about this point in time the robbers were confronted by another employee, armed with a licensed gun, who opened fire and hit two of the three men, both of whom died of their wounds. The third suspect ran for his life and escaped with the driver of the getaway car. When investigators catch up with the two that got away, it is likely that they will be charged with Felony-Murder, in connection with the death of their two associates. The laws in CA, and many other states, mandate that if someone dies during the commission of a felony (such as robbery) everyone connected with the crime, even the driver a getaway car who never entered the place of occurrence, can be charged with murder. The police identified the dead robbers as, Desmond Brown, 38 yrs of age and Robert Earl Avery, 39 yrs of age, both known gang members from LA, according to the police. Fortunately, none of the victims were seriously injured.

Coin Store Burglary: On Friday, 6/17/11, the Bound Brook Police (Somerset County, NJ), responded to the report of a burglary at the Central Jersey Rare Coin Store. Investigation revealed that 2 actors entered the store after cutting exterior phone & alarm wires. Actors then forced entry through a rear door. Once inside they knocked the alarm keypads off the walls, then took the time to locate the surveillance system and eventually disabled it. The system contains both video & audio, and we recovered about 20 minutes worth. Upon listening to the video, we hear one suspect refer to the other as "Uncle Ron" or "Uncle Rob", who we believe is an older white male, 50+ and has a very raspy/smokey voice (very distinct). This older suspect also talks about being caught in the act once before by a police officer who was conducting a business check. We also hear the younger suspect refer to what we believe was a prior burglary that they had committed. He says something regarding a jewelry store with the name "baby" in it. His comment refers to the type of camera system this store had and how they disabled it. If anyone has anything similar, or is aware of a burglary to a store with the name "baby" in it, please call us ASAP. I can be reached at 732-356-0800 Ext. 672. We are attempting to have the audio enhanced and I will submit any updates. Thank you all for your cooperation.

TRAVELING SALESMAN FROM AUSTRALIA LOST LINE WHILE GETTING GAS IN COVINA, CA. After making some calls in the area an opal dealer stopped his vehicle at a gas station for fuel. While putting gas in his tank a car pulled up near him and a well dressed man got out and asked for directions. The victim declined when requested to look at a map in the other fellow’s car. Apparently, while they were talking, another man snuck around the victims vehicle, opened an unlocked rear door and removed his line, unseen and unheard by the salesman. The thief then returned to the car operated by the fellow requesting directions and they then drove slowly out of the station. After the suspects departed, the victim also left soon afterwards and when he reached for his bag he realized it was gone. COMMENT: Gas stations are a common location for criminals to steal a line from a jeweler, either by force or, in this case, by stealth. The criminals most likely were following this victim from one of his previous stops and the gas station was the first place where their target was stationary and vulnerable. They most likely had previously observed him place his line in the rear of his vehicle and knew exactly where to find it. Attacks on jewelry salespersons are at the lowest in more than a decade, but they still occur and folks traveling with jewelry must continue to stay alert and not leave product unsecured at any time.

The following is an addendum to the previous message, which provided details of an attack on a jewelry salesman in Farmers Branch, TX and Dallas, TX. Anyone with information pertaining to that incident is requested to contact Det. David Barnett, Farmers Branch PD, #469-222-0947. Farmers Branch PD case #177845.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ASSAULTED, ROBBED AND SHOT AT IN TEXAS. On 6/8/11, at about 5 PM, a traveling salesman, after a day of making cold calls in McKinney, North Dallas and Richardson, TX, parked near the rear entrance of his hotel. As he was collecting his belongings before going to his room, he was attacked by four Hispanic men armed with guns and knives. They smashed the windows on his rental car and beat their victim with fits before fleeing in a stolen car. The salesman then made a decision that could have cost him more than his jewelry. He chased after the robbers in his rental car and when he got too close for the comfort of the bad guys; one of them leaned out of the passenger side window and fired a number of shots at the salesman, who luckily was not hit by any of their bullets. Thankfully, no one else was injured either. The salesman then wisely ended his pursuit of his attackers and called the police, who had already received reports pertaining to the gunfire. RECOMMENDATION: Do not chase armed criminals. Think what could happen if you catch them? There was a window of opportunity to prevent this robbery before the initial confrontation. Based on the historical record, there is little doubt that the bad guys followed the victim from one of his cold call locations to his hotel. Had this victim been able to spot his attackers while they were following him and then employed some of the suggestions provided in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, such as calling the police in route or driving directly to a local police department, etc., this attack may have been prevented? Jewelers must always be alert and checking to determine if they are being followed.

GRAB AND RUN THEFTS CONTINUE. In 2010 the JSA received reports of nearly 400 Grab and Run type thefts. So far this year we have received reports of 150 similar events from 33 states, with an average loss of about $15,000. The scenario during the majority of the losses, nationwide, is very similar to a recent Grab and Run report from a major department store located in Orange Park, Florida that occurred on 6/2/11. The suspect walked in at about 10:10 AM, while talking into a cell phone. He was described as a black male about 30 years of age, wearing a long blue T-shirt, half covering baggy blue jean shorts and open laced basketball shoes. He also wore silver framed glasses and talked into his cell phone the entire time he was in the store. HE DID NOT HAVE A SIGN ON HIS CHEST SAYING, “I am going to asked to see a very expensive diamond ring, grab it and run out of the store.” Also, “I am not concerned with your surveillance system because I know you’re your system sucks and will only provide a picture of the top of my head.” However, be that as it may, he did asked to see a $7K ring, while talking into a cell phone, probably to an accomplice who was keeping the motor running on his getaway vehicle. As soon as the ring was handed to him, he grabbed it and ran out of the store (what a surprise!) and fled in a waiting car. And guess what? The department store has released a very poor quality photo of the suspect talking on his cell phone. His facial features are not discernable but it clearly shows the top of his head. I must wonder if he would have been shown a diamond ring if he really had such a sign on his chest? On behalf of every law enforcement agency in the country, and every investigator of jewelry crime I have ever met, please consider (retail jewelers in particular) placing a camera at eye level, positioned to take a full face frontal photograph of everyone who enters your place of business. In my opinion, compliance with this request would almost immediately cause our jails to become overcrowded with jewelry criminals. RECOMMENDATION: The use of a cell phone by criminals as a distraction or to maintain contact with an accomplice acting as a lookout is a common practice and must be considered a big “RED FLAG” If dealing with a customer who insists on talking into a cell phone, inform him/her that they must conclude their conversation before you can make a presentation. Also consider activating a prearranged internal alert system with the use of a code word or signal to other employees. Also, if the “customer” does not fit your normal customer profile stay alert and use caution and have a plan. More detailed information on the subject of Grab and Run crimes can be found in the JSA, Manual of Jewelry Security.

ROBBERY GANG STILL OPERATING IN QUEENS, NY. On March 31, the JSA posted a message that provided information pertaining to a gang of young black males suspected of committing a pattern of street robberies and kidnappings in the Jamaica Estates, Forest Hills and Kew Gardens areas of Queens County. At least two of the victims attacked by this group were jewelry industry members, driving expensive cars, returning home at the end of a work day. We have just learned that, on 5/20, another jeweler, with a store in Brooklyn, upon arriving at his residence in Jamaica Estates, at about 11:30 PM, was confronted by three young B/M, armed with guns and dragged into his home. His family, including small children, was forced into a closet while the criminals searched the house for valuables. The police have reason to believe the robbers did not follow the victim from his store or initially knew the victim was a jeweler. They believe it is more likely that he was chosen as a victim because he was driving an expensive car and drove up to a nice home in an area known for expensive homes. Unfortunately, this type of crime can occur anywhere. All members of the jewelry industry must be constantly alert regarding the possibility of being followed. When arriving at your residence, especially late at night, take the time to slow down and square your block. Look for anything unusual, cars or people that don’t fit or individuals conducting themselves in a manor that you find suspicious. If you see a suspicious car, get the plate number. Keep a pad and pen handy so that you can write down important information regarding possible suspicious activity. Time and date of your observations, descriptions of cars, people, etc. Train your family to also be alert for suspicious activity around your residence. Never hesitate to call 911.

BEWARE OF GOLD SWITCH SUSPECT. Recently, in Springfield, NJ and South Orange, NJ, retail jewelers have been victimized by an individual offering to sell real gold jewelry and Canadian gold coins and then switching them with fakes. After allowing the jeweler to examine the gold items and agreeing to a purchase price, usually a large amount of “cash only”, and just before the money is handed over, the thief manages to switch jewelry and/or coins with similar looking fakes. His jeweler victims only discover they were scammed after the suspect and the cash are long gone. The suspect is described as a Black male, 47 years old, stocky build, usually wears a baseball cap but may be bald, may wear glasses and has a distinctive beard that goes from ear to ear, under the chin but does not include a mustache portion. This individual is a suspect in a number of similar events and was arrested in Vandalia, OH, on 7/6/10. (The Canadian gold coins being initially offered by the suspect are of such high value that one victim offered $45,000 for them.) If you have any information regarding this suspect please contact Detective Keith Doherty, Springfield, NJPD, #973-912-2246 or Bob Frank, JSA, #800-537-0067.

POLICE IN FLORIDA ARREST FOUR ROOFTOP BURGLARY SUSPECTS. On Tuesday 5/24/11, at about 5 AM, teams of officers, armed with arrest warrants, took four individuals into custody in Miami. Four other members of the gang where taken into custody previously and are either serving long sentences or awaiting trial. Those arrested in Miami are facing charges of RICO and Conspiracy to commit RICO and both charges come with 30 year sentences. Law enforcement is currently looking for one additional suspect and has good information as to his current whereabouts. Their bond has been set at $1 million cash and if posted, a hearing will be held to determine exactly where the cash comes from before their release. The charges against these individuals include 21 burglaries, six in the state of Florida and in five other states, including attacks at retail jewelry businesses in Knoxville, TN and Greensboro, NC. This group of criminals is suspected of burglarizing jewelry businesses in Florida and other southern states for approximately two years and their activities have been highlighted in numerous JSA alerts and bulletins. Hopefully, this will be the end to their criminal activities. Unfortunately, history has taught us all that it is only a matter of time before the next group of criminals will pick up where these fellows ended. Law enforcement has, and will continue to do, a good job, but if you are in the jewelry industry you can never relax your guard and leave your security entirely to someone else, not even the police. Have you checked the protection provided for your roof lately?

FEDERAL AGENTS TAKE DOWN A NATIONWIDE GRAB AND RUN GANG IN DETROIT, MI. A Federal complaint, unsealed yesterday, identified 19 defendants who have been charged in connection the 45 jewelry store thefts and robberies in 22 states. Three retail jewelry businesses have also been named and identified as receiving much of the stolen jewelry and high-end watches from the gang. The complaint was not clear if the retail jewelers would or would not be charged in the future. The complaint describes the suspects as younger African-American males and one female, many of whom attended the same high school in Detroit. Possibly as many as 30 additional gang members are being sought. In the majority of the cases gang members would ask to see high-end jewelry or watches, which they would then grab and run out of the store with and escape in a waiting getaway car.

ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUS MESSAGE REGARDING LOSS IN CITY OF HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA. If you have any information pertaining to this matter, please contact Detective Sgt. Juan Rodriquez, Homewood PD, at #205-332-6241 or email: juan.rodriquez@homewoodal.org.

On the weekend of April 8-10, 2011 we had a house burglarized in the City of Homewood. None of the property has shown up to date. These items are likely to show up in a jewelry store. The burglars stole multiple David Yurman cable braclets, and earrings. They also stole two boxes of gold in color one dollar presidental coins, in the original US Mint boxes and rolled at the US Mint. There was also a Men’s 22 ct. Solid Gold Insignia Ring, very heavy (appox. 4-2.0 oz.) W/lots of wear; “Royal” King /w Crown embossed engraving which appears to be a Knight Helmet wearing Crown. Please be on the lookout for these items. I have a more detailed list which can be provided to those interested. The burglary was over $100,000.00 in money,jewerly and silver trays goblets etc. Please let me know if you have an influx of items similar to those stolen in the burglary.

2010 CITY CRIME RATE RANKINGS. According to a recent report prepared by, “CQ Press”, using reported data from the FBI, the following list ranks 20 cities with the worst crime rates in the country. They are: (1) St. Louis, MO (2) Camden, NJ (3)Detroit, MI (4) Flint, MI (5) Oakland, CA (6) Richmond, CA (7) Cleveland, OH (8) Compton, CA (9) Gary IN (10) Birmingham, AL (11) Baltimore, MD (12) Memphis, TN (13) New Orleans, LA (14) Jackson, MS (15) Little Rock, AR (16) Baton Rouge, LA, (17) Buffalo, NY (18) New Haven, CT (19) Hartford, CT (20) Dayton, OH. (The crime categories surveyed to create this list include, murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.) This list should be of particular interest to traveling jewelry sales personnel with customers in these areas. However, the JSA recommends that your attention to security and crime prevention matters must remain constant whether traveling in a high risk city or the city with the lowest crime rate in the country. For more important information on this subject, JSA members are referred to Chapter 6, JSA Manual of Jewelry Security.

On 4/21/2011 at about 1:10pm, I spoke with Jeweler Carol Brown of the 14-K Gold Store on SW Park Street. Brown said a white female came in asking for an appraisal on a yellow gold ring with a 5 diamond setting. Brown said she checked the diamonds with a 15X loop and they were as close to perfect as any diamonds she had ever seen. She told me the stone were as follows. One was .75K to 1.00K, two were .25K and two were .20K in size. She also found a lazered gem number of EGLUS17915001D on the largest stone. Brown described the stone setting as the stones being in a line. The largest in the middle, .25K on each side of the largest and .20K outside of the .25K. Brown placed the rings value at $5,000.00 to $7,000.00. Bill Saum 863-763-5521

FBI TASK FORCE ARRESTS FOUR IN CONNECTION WITH HUNTSVILLE, TX HOMICIDE. In a previous message posted by the JSA, information was provided regarding the death of a wholesale jeweler, run over on 4/17/11 in Huntsville, TX, by a vehicle occupied by members of a South American Theft Group, as they were attempting to escape after breaking into the victim’s car. As a result of injuries he received during this incident the jeweler died on 4/19/11 at a Houston hospital. On 4/28/11, an FBI Task Force arrested four suspects in Houston and charged then with theft and murder. The names of those charged are, Gabriel Rios-Castillo, Maria Isabella Silva, Luis Alberto Garcia-Campos, and Fernando Rodrigues-Amaya. The FBI has identified Amaya as the leader of the group, all of whom entered the USA illegally from Colombia. Once again law enforcement acted swiftly to apprehend criminals who have demonstrated a complete lack of respect for human life. Unfortunately, the highly commendable work of the FBI and local authorities will not bring back the life of this victim. We can all speculate why the victim chose to confront the criminals as he did, and perhaps some may even applaud his actions as heroic. However, I respectfully submit that the victim’s life was certainly more valuable than the items of jewelry he may have had in his car.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD RETAILER KIDNAPPED AT HIS RESIDENCE. Police are searching for several armed men who forced their way into the home of a retail jeweler at about 11:30 PM on Friday, 4/22/11, and then drove him to his store in North Hollywood. Fortunately, the kidnappers got nervous when they arrived at the store, saw some unrelated police activity nearby and released their victim. The jeweler’s wife was tied up and remained at their residence on Cabanas Ave. in Tujunga, guarded by one of the robbers. Neither the wife nor the jeweler was injured. The gunman fled in the jeweler’s car with cash and valuables from the residence. The jeweler’s car was recovered in Van Nuys two day later.

JSA 2010 ANNUAL CRIME REPORT AVAILABLE FROM WEB SITE. The JSA statistical review of jewelry crime in the US for the year 2010 is now available to download from the JSA web site, www.jewelerssecurity.org. Just click on “Crime Statistics” and you will be able to print the 12 page report. This report is the most comprehensive analysis of jewelry industry crime in the U.S. and is made available to the industry and law enforcement free of charge. This report is "must" reading for everyone in the jewelry industry. It could save your inventory or more importantly, your life.

WHOLESALE JEWELER VICTIM OF VEHICLULAR HOMICIDE IN TEXAS. On Sunday, 4/17/11, a wholesale jeweler and his wife left a jewelry show in Houston, TX, at about 6 PM and began their long drive home to Dallas. As they were passing through Huntsville they decided to stop for a bite to eat at a McDonalds. While inside the restaurant the victim noticed a van pull up next to their van in the parking lot. Occupants from that van then entered the jeweler’s vehicle and started removing his jewelry. The jeweler ran outside to confront the thieves, who sped off in their vehicle, dragging the jeweler, who was holding on to their bumper, across the parking lot. According to witnesses, at one point the thieves’ van stopped and then backed up over the victim, causing fatal injuries. The jeweler was taken to the Hermann Hospital in Houston where he passed away from his injuries on Tuesday, 4/19/11. It appears obvious that the criminals had followed the victim and his wife from the show in Houston and knew that the jewelry had been left in the jeweler’s vehicle. It is not clear at this point in time if the thieves actually escaped with any jewelry. The victim was 59 years of age and leaves behind his wife and three children. A terrible tragedy.

Investigating a robbery of a traveling salesman. On 04/07/2011 Salemans was robbed of his line. Two Hispanic males broke windows of victims vehicle and removed duffle bag containing line. Victim traveled from PA to NC and was working his way back to PA. On 04/07/2011 the victim checked out of the Towson-Sheration (Just North of Baltimore) when he was attacked in the parking lot.

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE. The Asheville police have recovered numerous jewelry boxes with tags from a dumpster at a McDonald’s restaurant. Also recovered were gloves and masks with blood on them, probably from a cut finger or hand. The masks are of Fidel Castro and a toboggan type hat with skull and crossbones. There are also small pieces of glass in the gloves, possibly from smashing a display case. According to witnesses, these items were placed in the dumpster by three Hispanic men driving a red Toyota Celica with Tennessee plates. Anyone with information pertaining to this matter should contact Sgt. Welborn, Asheville PD, at #828-259-5928 or email: ewelborn@ashevillenc.gov.

ROBBERY GANG OPERATING IN QUEENS, NEW YORK. The JSA has just been advised that a gang of young black males are suspected of committing a number of robberies, some involving the kidnapping of the victims in Jamaica Estates, Forest hills and Kew Gardens. At least two of the victims were members of the jewelry industry. Both were attacked about two weeks ago and kidnapped upon returning to their residence. The police think the fact that the victims were driving expensive automobiles may have identified them to gang members as likely targets. Thankfully, both victims were released unharmed after being robbed. With the police on high alert in Queens, the gang may decide to travel to other wealthy neighborhoods in Nassau County. One likely target area, according to the police could be Great Neck. Extra caution and awareness is advised for all industry members residing in the Queens and Nassau. Before pulling into you driveway, drive slowly around your block to determine if you have been followed. Should you notice anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, call 911 immediately and do not stop your car until you are at a safe location. Practice how to drive to your local police station by the fastest route.

ANOTHER GOLD SWITCH BY THIEVES. On 3/24/11, at about lunch time, a Hispanic man and women, overweight and sloppy looking, walked into a retail jewelry store in Iowa. The female appeared to be about ten years older than the male. They had gold chains to sell and the owner, who sensed that something did not seem right, ignored his better judgment and decided to do business with them anyway. He examined the chains and they tested for 14K gold. Following the testing by the jeweler, the male returned the chains to a bag he originally produced them from, while they haggled over the price. When they agreed on a price the suspect produced an Illinois ID card and a SS card with the name, Enedino Calleros, for identification. When the jeweler went to make copies of the cards the suspect switched the bag with another containing similar looking fake items. The jeweler did not see the switch but later, after viewing the stores surveillance video, he could clearly see the male switch the bags while the female distracted him with conversation. THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL EVENT. IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE PERSON OFFERING TO SELL YOU GOLD JEWELRY, EXTREME CAUTION IS REQUIRED. IF YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE IS SENDING YOU A SIGNAL THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT – FOLLOW YOUR GUT AND ADVISE THE SELLER THAT YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED.

ANOTHER JEWELER A VICTIM OF ACCIDENTAL CYANIDE POISONING. On March 1, 2011, a jeweler from Manorhaven, NY, called 911 after feeling sick to his stomach and having difficulty breathing. Subsequent tests conducted at the hospital detected cyanide in the jeweler’s system. Emergency responders discovered open cyanide products at the scene, which were being used to clean jewelry. The jeweler is recovering but his condition is not known at this time. On June 15, 2009, the JSA posted a report pertaining to a jewelry store owner in Edison, NJ, who was discovered dead at his place of business and, accidental cyanide poisoning was subsequently determined to be the cause of death. Many industry members, unwisely, continue to use cleaning products containing cyanide and risk serious health problems, and possible death. The JSA recommends that jewelers consider ending their use of dangerous cleaning solutions that contain cyanide and switch to safer products.

This department is investigating a robbery at Carol's Creations lcated in North Haven, CT. On January 26th at 3:55 PM, a white male subject entered the business while displaying a silver and black semi-auto handgun. The suspect fled through the rear door of the business with approx. 350 gold and two tone Pandora charms. The white male subject was described as 6'1" tall, 40-45 years of age with a large build wearing a flannel shirt and jeans. The victims indicated the subject had a similar facial features to the actor John Goodman from the TV series "Rosanne". Please contact Det. John Wilcox at North Haven Police Department (CT.)with any information or leads, 203-239-5321 x740.

TRAVELING SALESMAN OPENS FIRE ON BANDITS IN TEXAS. Yesterday, 2/8/11, in the small Texas town of Carrollton, (population approx.100, 000) four Hispanic men confronted a traveling jewelry salesman as he sat in his car after making a call on a customer. One of the men smashed the salesman’s window, reached in and removed a bag containing his line. The salesman got out of his car and started to walk away after telling the bad guys that they could take his jewelry and that he didn’t care. Of course, their intended victim was not being completely honest. He had been robbed several times in the past and he really did care. After taking a few steps the salesman pulled out his license revolver and opened fire. The bad guys dropped the line bag while running at a very high rate of speed to their get away car and fled. The salesman is sure that his bullets hit two of them but no wounded or dead bad guys have surfaced yet. The police recovered the get away car, which they are processing for clues. The JSA does not recommend that jewelers resort to deadly physical force and possibly risking their life to prevent jewelry from being stolen, however, we are very happy that this victim was not injured and did not lose his line. Anyone with information pertaining to this matter should call Det. Tommy Teniente, Carrollton PD, #972-466-4766.

MURDER – SUICIDE AT NEW JERSEY JEWELRY STORE. On Monday, 2/7/11, at about 4:45 p.m., an armed robber shot and killed the owner of Roy T, Jewelers, located on Route 22 in Bridgewater Township. Initial reports indicate that after shooting the jeweler, the robber then turned his gun on himself and committed suicide. It is not known if the jeweler knew his killer or if there was a struggle before the shooting took place. Additional details will be reported when they are released by the police. Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family. (Bob Frank, JSA)

THIEVES POSING AS FEDEX PICK UP PERSONNEL. FedEx Corporate Security has advised the JSA that a group of three or four subjects are posing as FedEx pick up personnel in the Chicago Metro area and surrounding suburbs. The suspects have authentic FedEx uniforms and steal packages under the guise of conducting actual pick ups. Jewelers are advised to challenge all FedEx personnel for ID and have them scan all packages in their presence. FedEx personnel only use marked FedEx vehicles and never utilize unmarked vans or personal vehicles. Good advice for jewelers no matter where you are located. Anyone with information or concerns can contact, Daniel Gordon, Senior Security Specialist, FedEx Corp Security at # 708-485-5404.

DETAILS ABOUT YOUR SAFE(S) We offer a free service of providing details about jewelers' safes (and vault doors) in order to help the owner determine if the security product(s) they have is(are) capable of protecting/preventing disk cutting equipment and/or other popular burglar attack tools from being successful in penetrating their walls and/or doors. Before providing you with this information, we'd like to confirm (as best as possible) that you are affiliated with the industry, so if you can supply us with your full name, company name and location, along with a phone number so we can discuss these details over the phone, it would be helpful. In this way, we'll help assure that this information does not fall into the wrong hands. Again, NO SOLICITATIONS WILL BE MADE BY US....unless you make such a request. Richard Krasilovsky, President. Empire Safe Company, Inc. 800-543-5412 ext 222 or richard@empiresafe.com

80YEAR OLD CONVICTED JEWELRY THIEF SPOTTED IN SCOTSDALE, AZ. On December 3, 2010, a retail jewelry store manager reported that the often convicted international jewelry thief, Doris Payne, visited his store, located in the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, at about 7:15 PM. Payne used one of her numerous aliases, Louis Simmons, while being shown jewelry but was not observed taking any merchandise during her visit. However, immediately following Payne’s departure the manager conducted an audit to confirm that nothing was missing. Payne has disarmed many trusting victims with her grandmotherly appearance. Payne is suspected of stealing a $13,000 ring from a retail location in Santa Barbara, CA, in August, 2010. During one of her many arrests, when an officer asked Payne what her occupation was, she answered,” Jewel Thief.” A photograph of Payne can be found on the JSA Web Site, under, “JSA’s Most Wanted.

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ROLEX USA PASSED AWAY ON 11/27/10. It is with shock and sadness that I report the death of Allen Brill; he was diagnosed with lung cancer just six weeks ago. Allen was an active JSA board member and deeply involved in a variety of industry organizations and charities. He was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War and very active in support of those serving in today’s military. Under Allen’s guidance, Rolex supported, The Fisher House-Helping Military Families, the USO, the American Red Cross, the Helen Keller National Center, the Alzheimer’s Assoc and other worthwhile causes. The entire JSA staff is saddened by Allen’s passing and offer our deepest condolences to his family. (Bob Frank, JSA)

GREENWICH PD INVESTIGATING EARLY MORNING ROBBERY. On Tuesday, 11/16, as a retail jewelry store just opened for business at about 9:45 AM, two black males rushed in and forced employees to the floor. They then used a sledgehammer to smash the high-end watch case and removed nearly half million dollars worth of Patek Philippe and other expensive time pieces. A third suspect remained outside in a getaway car described as an older white Camry or Maxima with a NY partial plate “DLZ- - -. “ Suspect #1 M/B/19-20yrs, bad teeth, black mask, gloves, White Sox hat. Suspect #2 M/B/19-20yrs, 5’10”, mask, gloves, Adidas sneakers, sledgehammer. Investigation is being conducted by Det. Tim Powell, #203-622-8075 and Det. Anthony Fiscella, #203-622-8021

INFORMATION FOR ‘GOLD SCAM’ VICTIMS // ASSIGNED INVESTIGATORS. On 11/4/10, the Woodbridge, NJ, Police Narcotics Unit arrested an individual in connection with narcotics violations. During a search of the motel room where the suspect was staying, the police found numerous gold coins (Australian and Saudi) and bags of gold nuggets. The suspect and a traveling companion have extensive criminal records. They are suspected of being involved in criminal activity where victims (retail jewelers and pawn shops) are offered real gold for sale, which is then switched with fake gold prior to or immediately after payment by the victim. If you would like to confer with the investigators on this case, please contact Det. Lyons or Det. Fazio, WPD, Narcotics Unit at, #732-602-7398, #732-602-2378.

OLD SCAM – NEW VICTIMS – DON’T BE FOOLED. The JSA has recently received reports concerning the resurgence of a old scam that warrants your attention. Industry members have been receiving requests by email, text msg, etc, from individuals pretending to be business associates, friends or relatives of the intended victim, and ask to borrow money that they need to assist them with an urgent and serious matter. The caller most often says that he was robbed in a foreign country or falsely arrested and begs that you send him money that he promises to immediately repay upon return to the USA. The scam artist will use the real name of someone you know and would likely be willing to assist. This scam can be played several ways, but the bottom line is that they want you to send money, usually to a foreign country.

THIEF DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MESSAGE ARRESTED BY NYPD. As a direct result of the timely sharing of the details surrounding the $73K loss by check fraud with the JSA and the approximately 40 members of the JSA Local Crime Information Sharing Network of midtown NYC jewelry firms, (AKA, The Inner Circle) the suspect was arrested, stolen merchandise was recovered, and other similar crimes, including recent losses at other high-end retailers in midtown area, were solved. The suspect had previous arrests in MD, NJ, VA and NY. He used 30 different aliases and the police have recovered evidence indicating that he is involved in crimes, unrelated to jewelry, involving millions of dollars. Initially, the victim contacted his local NYPD police precinct (MTN) and was told that the loss was a civil matter and the police would not get involved. (Obviously the officer who made that statement missed a few days at the academy when they studied “Grand Larceny” and public relations.) The victim then advised the JSA and we contacted the NYPD, Organized Theft Squad. When provided with the details of this loss, investigators immediately interviewed the victim, and were able to actually arrest the suspect in the act of attempting a similar scam at another NYC retail jeweler. By the way, the stolen property was recovered at a retail location only blocks away from the victim, where it was sold almost immediately after the being stolen. That part of the investigation is a work in progress. Another fine bit of police work by the NYPD, Org. Theft Sqd.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RETAIL JEWELERS. Several days ago, a cleaver thief posed as a customer at a high-end watch store located on 5th Ave. in New York City, and expressed interest in purchasing a $73,000 Rolex time piece. The “customer” told the sales associate that he would purchase the watch and wire them the money from his bank. When told that the store did their banking with a particular bank, the “customer” said, “great, so do I.” It was worked out that the watch would be picked up following the transfer of funds. Later that day the store manager checked with their bank and learned that a deposit had been made by the “customer” for the correct amount, but made the mistake of assuming it was a wire transfer, which it was not. The manager later learned that the buyer had actually deposited a paper check, which was later determined to be fraudulent. When the buyer returned to the store he was allowed to leave with the time piece since it was believed that a wire transfer for the correct amount had been properly deposited. The suspect was described as, M/B/50, 6’1”, 200 lbs and may be wearing an expensive Rolex. If you have any information regarding this suspect or if you have been one of his victims, please contact Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067.

Message for Det. Webber. Recommend that you consider utilizing the JSA, Stolen Jewelry Web Site, www.stolenjewelry.org, to get the word out regarding time pieces and jewelry stolen during a residential burglary on 9/30/10. Call Bob Frank at #800-537-0067 with any questions.

home in carlsbad calif. burglarized on thurs.23 september. breitling solid gold black dial chrono w/pilot bracelet, Concord impresario solid 18k rose gold mens watch case and bracelet rose gold,breitling two tone chrono,blue face,broken stem,girard peregeaux s.s. ferrari model,red dial. womens 10 carat tennis bracelet set in white gold w/broken clasp. antique diamond earings. Please call w/ any info. Det.Webber carlsbad Ca. PD or mark cohen 760-500-3888

IN ANSWER TO THE PREVIOUSLY POSTED QUESTION, the actual DNA spray does not prevent crime. However, as pointed out in the original posting regarding this matter, it has apparently been effective as a deterrent in Rotterdam where participating merchants have posted signs near their entrances advertising its use. I believe the Rotterdam police encourage the use of this product because in addition to its value as a deterrent, they anticipate it will greatly assist them in identifying a suspect, apprehended some time after a criminal act, who may claim that he was never at the place of occurrence. It can also be useful in identifying property stolen from a particular location. It is my understanding that the spray is unique to the location it is being used at. My information regarding this product is limited and I am not recommending its use or confirming its effectiveness. The information was posted as a possible matter of interest only. (You inquiry is appreciated)

RE: CRIME PREVENTION WITH DNA SPRAY I am a little confused, how does covering someone in DNA mist prevent crime????

CRIME PREVENTION WITH DNA SPRAY. According to an article in the Rotterdam Journal, two brothers from Britain, one a police officer and the other a chemist, have developed a DNA spray that can help police identify criminals and stolen property. The system involves an employee-activated device that sprays a fine, odorless, barely visible mist laced with synthetic DNA that will cover anyone and anything in its path. The DNA liquid is contained in a small box mounted over an entrance that can be secretly activated by an employee with a special device behind the counter or in the register. The police have reported a reduction in robberies since the installation of DNA in local retail businesses, which includes the posting of large signs warning potential criminals, “IF YOU STEAL, YOU’RE MARKED.” The owner of Gulnar Jewelers, located on a busy shopping street in Rotterdam, said that the police department paid to have the system installed in her store. The spray is distributed by a company DBA, the Rhine Group, located in Harmelen, Netherlands. (www.rhinegroup.nl)

RETAIL JEWELER ARRESTED IN TERRE HAUTE, IN. On 10/21/10, the Terre Haute PD arrested the owner of, S.H. Newton Jewelers, at his store and charged him with two counts of corrupt business influence, a class C felony, six counts of attempting to receive stolen property, a D felony, and failing to obtain and retain information related to the purchase of used jewelry, a misdemeanor. The police also executed a search warrant at the jeweler’s residence. Apparently, undercover officers, posing as thieves sold jewelry to the retailer on several occasions. As this jeweler discovered the hard way, the rewards from a criminal act are seldom worth the penalties when discovered.

PHILADELPHIA JEWLERY STORE OWNER AND ROBBER KILLED IN SHOOT-OUT. Yesterday, 10/21/10, two armed robbers walked into William Glatz Jewelers, 6435 Rising Sun Avenue, and exchanged shots with the owner. When the shooting ended, one suspect, identified as Kevin Turner, age 22, was dead. The owner, Bill Glatz, age 67, also shot, was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The second suspect, who the police said was an escaped prisoner, escaped.

DETAILS ABOUT YOUR SAFE(S) I posted a message last week indicating that we offer a free service of providing details about jewelers' safes (and vault doors) in order to help the owner determine if the security product(s) they have is(are) capable of protecting/preventing disk cutting equipment from being successful in penetrating their walls and/or doors. Before providing you with this information, we'd like to confirm (as best as possible) that you are affiliated with the industry, so if you can supply us with your full name, company name and location, along with a phone number so we can discuss these details over the phone, it would be helpful. In this way, we'll help assure that this information does not fall into the wrong hands. Again, no solicitations will be made by us....unless you make such a request. Thanks very much. Richard Krasilovsky, President. Empire Safe Company, Inc. 800-543-5412 ext 222 or richard@empiresafe.com

REGARDING BURGLARY ATTACKS ON TL-30 SAFES It has been proven that safes with TL-30x6 ratings have also been penetrated easily with the disk cutters used by the same burglars! In addition to safes with the TRTL-30x6 rating, there are many high security torch and tool resistant safes that have the wherewithal to help prevent attacks with disk cutters from being successful. Included in this group are safes with the following ratings: TRTL-15x6, ECB-S (Europe) Grades IV, V & VI, Scandinavian V3, as well as a number of other un-rated high security products that were sold in the USA marketplace since the 1970s. (Please note that certain UL listed products have been taken off the market and therefore will not provide the same level of protection.) If you would like to know more about the quality of the safe(s) you own and their ability to withstand disk cutter attacks, feel free to contact the writer. This is a free service to all in the jewelry and insurance industries....we promise to provide real information. No solicitation of business will be made, unless requested by the jeweler. Richard Krasilovsky, EMPIRE SAFE, 800-543-5412 or richard@empiresafe.com.

FAKE 18 KARAT GOLD PLATES. A Hispanic male, working with White and Hispanic females, has been selling square metal plates in the south Miami-Dade County area, to jewelry stores and pawn shops that buy gold. The suspect claims that the plates are 18 Karat white gold, which is confirmed with initial testing by the victims. However, when melted, the plates are revealed to be stainless steel. This is nothing new, but apparently there are jewelers who are ignoring or have not received the numerous JSA alerts regarding this problem. If you have information regarding these recent losses in Florida, please contact Det. Paul Rivera, Pinecrest PD, #305-234-2100, ext 382.

ROBBERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY. The victim closed his business, located in Dearborn, MI, late on a Saturday afternoon and was on his way to a refiner with over $200K worth of scrap gold and cash. In recent years the biggest part of this retail jeweler’s business has been purchasing gold over the counter. It was not unusual for him to have $100K to $200K in cash on hand to purchase gold. Apparently, the jeweler’s business practices did not go unnoticed by the bad guys, who may have actually been previous customers. When the jeweler was about to get into his car and drive to his refiner, a car pulled up next to him, two individuals got out, showed their victim a gun, and fled with the scrape gold and cash. Comment: Any time valuable merchandise or large amounts of cash must be moved it would be wise to consider utilizing profession security personnel, off duty police officers, armed car services, etc. The added expense would certainly be less than a major loss at the hands of criminals, not to mention the possible physical injuries or loss of life.

The previous incident occurred in Ladue, Mo. a suburb of St. Louis

On Wednesday, September 29, around noon two men, one of hispanic decent and white male came into the store to look at high end watches. They stayed in the store around an hour and a half. Both men were heavy set and said they lived in FL. The hispanic man purchased a watch and handed over his driver's license and credit card. The card would not swipe magnetically & had to be entered manually. Although we got an approval code, the card was fraudelent. The name, address and phone number were all fake.

Warning still on the loose...• On 11/12/09 a Norwich, Connecticut Jewelry Store Manager and his wife had an armed home invasion in the early hours of the evening and the Norwich Store had a burglary. The 2-3 masked male Caucasians broke into the house and coerced the manager for his store keys, alarm codes and safe combinations at gunpoint. They then tied and barricaded them. They stole their car, drove to the jewelry store, entered and de-armed the store at approximately 8AM. They tried repeatedly to open the safes but were unsuccessful. At the last minute they stole Citizen Watches from the showcase. They then left and torched the manager's car in a nearby town. These criminals are still on the loose.

LAST SEEN IN A JAMES BOND MOVIE-1979. On Saturday, 9/25/10 at about 2 pm, Gregory Crown, 21 yrs, (AKA “Jaws”) walked into Sears in the Galleria Mall, White Plains, NY. The suspect was interested in obtaining a couple of watches, but the time pieces he wanted were in a display case secured with a security cable. However, Gregory was not deterred; he simply chewed through the cable with his teeth and fled with four inexpensive watches that probably cost less than what a dentist will charge to repair his choppers. The security staff at Sears spotted the suspect gnawing on their cable just before he fled with the watches. The police were given the suspect’s description and he was spotted by a police officer a short time later getting out of a taxi and arrested. The watches were recovered. I wonder if he will try and chew his way out of his jail cell.

Thank you Richard Krasilovsky for your very interesting posted messages. The information you provided should be of great interest to everyone in the jewelry industry, especially those who are responsible for safeguarding and securing jewelry. Empire safe has an outstanding reputation for providing top quality safes with many years of experience serving the jewelry industry. Richard, the President of Empire safe, can be reached at #212-684-2255. (Bob Frank, JSA)

JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIRS SHOULD NOT BE STORED IN THE SELLING AREA. We know of a number of jewelers who have lost customers' jewelry as a result of a hold-up in their store. Since the repairs' storage location in the selling area was identified by the robbers while casing the store, it was easy for them to take these items at the time of the robbery. It is strongly recommended that jewelry be store outside of a safe as well as off the selling floor, in the back room of the store, out of sight, inside drawers under lock and key....until after the store closes, at which time the repairs should be placed inside the highest security safe on the premises for overnight security. In this way, a jeweler can further protect repairs from being at risk of loss. Richard Krasilovsky, Empire Safe Company, Inc.

The majority of successful safe burglaries in the USA have been waged on safes with the following UL listings: TL-15, TL-30 & TL-30x6. Please note that "well constructed" TRTL-15x6 and TRTL-30x6 safes can typically prevent the majority of burglars using tools such as disk cutters and torches, the most popular attack tools in use today. With this in mind, it's imperative that jewelers review the "actual value" of the inventory stored in their safes to determine what it will cost them should their safe(s) be successfully burglarized. First and foremost, repairs should be stored overnight in the highest security safe on the premises....the loss of repairs to burglars can be devastating to your business! (If you've never been burglarized and had to file a claim, call someone who has and ask them how awful the experience was......and still is!) In addition to jewelry of high unit cost, other items requiring high security protection include, but are not limited to: estate jewelry, one of a kind jewelry, diamond and colored stone inventories, high end watches, gold bullion, cash, personal jewelry, etc. One more thing to seriously consider is determining how long it will take to "get back to square one" should you have a total loss....I'm sure the answer will be upsetting to you once you've really thought about it. And, with how the economy is today, I'm not sure how many jewelers can afford to deal with such a setback, both professionally and personally.

In answer to the previous message…Unfortunately, the JSA has many reports of New York based travelling salespeople who were robbery victims in Los Angels in recent years. However, you did not mention when the loss you are inquiring about occurred or the reason for your interest. I would suggest that you telephone Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067. If this is a recent loss and you are the victim, perhaps we can be of assistance.

do you have the report of sales man from new york robbed ,happen in los angeles near airport at a hotel lobby . robbers took 500,000 $ worth diamonds and gems , armed robbery.

FOOT LOCKER BANDIT ARRESTED. On several previous occasions the JSA has issued alerts regarding Grab and Run Crimes, and one Robbery, which were committed by a suspect wearing a black and white Foot Locker shirt and name tag. Four incidents occurred in Georgia, two in Arizona and one in Arkansas and there may have been others that have not been reported to the JSA. However, on 9/20/10, at about 7:40 pm, at the Eastland Center, Harper Woods. MI, a suspect wearing a Foot Locker shirt and name tag, was arrested shortly after he grabbed a 1 ct diamond at a retail jewelry store and ran out the door. Mall security responded and apprehended the suspect before he could get out of the mall. (Good job by the Mall Security) The police responded and placed the suspect under arrest, but the diamond has not been recovered. Just before running off with the diamond the suspect asked the sales associate if the diamond he was about to steal, “Is that the biggest you have?” When informed that it was the biggest, he grabbed it and ran. If you have information regarding the activities of this suspect please contact the HARPER Woods PD at #313-343-2530

GREAT NEWS FOR THIEVES OPERATING IN CALIFORNIA. On 9/19/10, a thief posed as a customer interested in purchasing a time piece. When the sales associate allowed the “customer” to hold an expensive watch he ran from the store. The jeweler immediately notified the police and security at the Southland Mall, Hayward, CA. Mall security responded but the Hayward Police Department would not respond. Store personnel were advised that because of current dire economic conditions in California the Hayward police will no longer respond to the scene of crimes such as this one. The store was advised to report the crime on-line. The state of California has for many years had the highest jewelry industry crime rate in the country, and that has been when the police responded. Please let us know if you have had a similar response from your local police department?

WOMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR WAS NO LADY. On 9/15/10, at about 6:30 pm, three thieves, a male and two females, came into retail jewelry store in Boynton Beach, Florida, and pretended to be interested in purchasing diamond jewelry. One of the females was in a wheelchair. Shortly after entering, the man left and the two women remained and looked and numerous items. Unwisely, the sales associate allowed the women to handle and pass back and forth several item of jewelry at a time. The women eventually left but said they would be returning to make a purchase. They never returned and it was later discovered that a 1 carat solitaire had been stolen and a 1.33 carat diamond had been switched with a CZ. Descriptions: B/M/45, B/F/35, wheelchair, purple dress, F/B/45, red dress. This is not the first instance where thieves used a wheelchair to distract and disarm a sales associate while they stole jewelry, and it probably will not be the last. Stay alert and try not to be the next jeweler to fall for this ploy.

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase metal case clips, the kind that will make prevent or make it difficult for a thief to lift the glass top on a display case and steal the jewelry in the case? Thanks, Bill Clemmons, Fort Worth

THE BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM WORKED AS DESIGNED – JEWELER MADE MISTAKES. Some time during the early morning hours of August 18, 2010, burglars forced their way into the rear of a retail jewelry store located in Glen Burnie, MD. Once inside the burglars cut the telephone lines and attacked the alarm system control box. They also cut alarm system wires and destroyed two surveillance cameras. The burglars did not attack the safe but did escape with between $50K and $100K worth of jewelry that was left out of the safe overnight. Unfortunately, the weakest element in this victim’s security system was “himself.” The alarm system actually worked as designed. The system had “Line Security” and a signal was sent to the central station alarm company when entry was made by the burglars. The owner was immediately notified by his alarm company of the signal but he advised them that he was having trouble with his phone lines recently, that it was most likely a false alarm and there was no need for anyone to respond. COMMENT: Jewelers should insist that alarm company personnel and the police respond to their place of business whenever a signal is received, even if they are informed by there alarm company that they think it is just a low battery or there is some other “logical” reason to conclude it is a false alarm. The owner or a designated staff member must also respond and allow the police to conduct an internal search of the premises. (Ref. JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, page 82)

SALESMAN ROBBED IN RICHARDSON TEXAS. On 8/18/10, a traveling salesman working for a manufacturer based in Daly City, CA, was ambushed by three Hispanic men with knives, while working in Richardson, TX. The victim was assaulted and forced to open the trunk of his car which contained his line. In November, 2009, this same salesman was robbed by three Hispanic men in Cucamonga, CA. At that time the victim chased after the robbers and was dragged by the getaway car and injured. It has not been confirmed if the same suspects are involved in both events. COMMENT: The frequency of attacks on jewelers traveling with jewelry has diminished to the lowest number in a decade. However, those still on the road with product must continue to be alert and constantly looking for any indication that they are being followed.

FACIAL RECOGNITION SOFTWARE – A MODERN TOOL TO CATCH JEWELRY CRIMINALS. - When a suspect is arrested, their photograph is taken by the police and stored in a database for future use. Some Police Departments have now added facial recognition software to the system and can compare images captured on surveillance cameras against stored mug shots. This is a tool we have all seen work on TV and now it is working in the real world of law enforcement. However, good quality surveillance pictures are required for this to work. Law enforcement is asking jewelers to take steps to improve the quality of their surveillance camera images so that the facial recognition software can be effective in identifying jewelry criminals. Step 1. End the use of VHS surveillance systems and change to digital. Step 2. Change camera positions from the ceiling to eye level. Step 3. Leave light on at night Step 4. Train all staff members how to operate surveillance equipment so they will be able to immediately provide police responding to a crime scene with surveillance shots. (Call the JSA at #800-537-0067 for more information on this subject)

WILMINGTON, CA. JEWELER KILLS ONE ROBBER WOUNDS TWO OTHERS. On Wed, 8/18/10, at about 6:30 PM, four black males walked into the Rios Jewelry store located at 825 N. Avalon Blvd and announced a robbery. The owner took out his gun and started shooting. One robber was shot in the chest and later died. Two others were wounded and are in custody. The fourth robber managed to escape but was later arrested a block away from the scene. The police think these suspects may also be responsible for a previous robbery of a jewelry store about a block away. If you have information regarding this matter the police request that you call the LAPD Harbor Station at #310-726-7700. It has not yet been determined if the jeweler will face any charges. COMMENT: In an article regarding this event published in the Los Angeles News, Capt. Rick Wall of the LAPD was quoted, “Go with the flow, cooperate, and give the property up. Let them go out the door and then call the police and let us catch the bad guys and put them in jail.” This is sound advice from an expert.

BEWARE OF “NIGERIAN SCAM” CRIMINALS. Recently, the JSA has received a number of reports reflecting an increase involving what law enforcement describes as, “Nigerian Scams.” Most of the intended victims are retail jewelers. To protect you from these clever crooks, here are some “Red Flags” to look for. Intended victims are often contact by phone and by letter. Sometimes telephone company, operator assisted programs designed to assist deaf customers, are used by the criminals. Currently, most contact is through the use of the Internet. The majority of the cases involve the “Urgent” purchase of gold chains that are to be shipped to foreign addresses such as Ghana, Ivory-Coast, Nigeria, Africa, etc. The value of the ordered merchandise is purposely kept low, $1500 to $4000, to increase the possibility that their victim will be more likely to ship. Payment is always over the phone with stolen credit card information that eventually results in a chargeback to the victim jeweler. If the victim falls for the scam and ships, they are usually contacted again by the “buyer” who will ask for the tracking number, which will be used to reroute the package to another location, just in case law enforcement gets involved. After this call, the victim may be contacted by someone claiming to be an associate or relative of the original caller and order even more gold chains. There may also be additional “urgent” orders for gold chains until the victim figures out what is going on. Nigerian scams are generally investigated by the US Secret Service and are referred to as, “4-1-9” fraud, after the section of the Nigerian penal code that addresses fraud schemes. Additional information regarding Nigerian scams can be found in the JSA, Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 54-55.

MIDDAY ROBBERY – MIDTOWN MANHATTAN. Yesterday, Sunday, 8/15/10, at about 1:45 PM, two armed men dressed in all black clothing, walked into a 47th Street Diamond District retail jewelry store, tied up the owner and his son and fled with about $60K in cash and jewelry. The victims were able to free themselves and call police but not until after the armed men were long gone. The robbers disabled the store’s camera system but there is a good possibility their images may have been captured by one of the many external surveillance cameras positioned in the area. COMMENT: In January of this year, in another area of Midtown Manhattan, a sales associate chose to resist an armed robber and was shot and killed. Fortunately, the victims involved in this robbery wisely did not resist and they were not injured.

HAS YOUR ALARM COMPANY RECENTLY MADE EQUIPMENT CHANGES ON YOUR SYSTEM – IF SO YOU COULD HAVE A PROBLEM REGARDING YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE? If you are in the jewelry business, most likely, in order to obtain insurance coverage your carrier required that you have Standard Line Security that uses a two-way radio system to send a signal to your location every 180 seconds. If all is well, your system responds immediately. If no response is received it means something is wrong and a burglary may be in progress. Recent changes regarding the radio communication portion of this scenario have occurred and the system known as AlarmnetM, that provided access to the radio tower system, is no longer available. As a result some alarm companies have replaced the old system with Cell backup, however, the 180 second interrogate-respond system is not possible with cellular communication. The burglars are aware of this development and have been very successful at defeating cell backup. The JSA has distributed several alerts (Crime Message Center, 5/25/10) regarding this very important matter and hopefully you have followed our suggestions. If your system has been downgraded to cell backup you should contact your insurance agent or carrier NOW and determine if your current level of protection has compromised your insurance coverage. (Bob Carroll of Robert G. Carroll and Associates, an insurance broker for jewelers, based in Oklahoma City, has recently written an article on this subject that has been published in the July issue of Southern Jewelry News.)

SALES ASSOCIATE FORCED TO HELP ROBBERS AT GUNPOINT. Recently, at a prestigious retail jewelry store in Artesia, CA, a female associate was buzzed out through the stores electronically controlled door to go on a break, but soon found herself confronted by four armed men. The men forced the associate to the return to the store and when she was buzzed back in they followed. They announced a robbery and met with no resistance from the rest of the staff or customers. Thankfully, no one was injured. The men, all armed, quickly grabbed jewelry and fled the high-end jewelry store, located on Pioneer Blvd near 187th Street. The victims were able to notify the police immediately and provide enough descriptive information for the suspects to be spotted by responding officers. The police chased the getaway car and when the robbers eventually jump out of their vehicle and fled on foot, police helicopters, Sheriff’s Deputies, Swat and police K-Nine units teamed up to arrest all four suspects. COMMENT: Using the sales associate as a tool to gain entry into the store is unusual but very clever on the part of the criminals. They obviously cased their target thoroughly prior to the robbery and came up with this clever way to defeat the electronically controlled door. Most likely they observed the employee leaving the store each day at a certain time, return a short time later and realized this would be their way in. Security for those employed in the jewelry industry is a concern that must be considered 24 hour a day, seven days a week, even when going on a break. Criminals are not invisible and can be spotted by alert jewelers during the time when they are casing their target. A JEWELER AND HIS/HER STAFF ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF EVEN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED SECURITY SYSTEM.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN SAN JOSE, CA. On 8/4/10 the victim was visiting retail customers in the San Jose area when his car was boxed in a parking space by a vehicle occupied by three suspects. Two of the suspects, wearing masks, smashed the victim’s passenger and driver’s side windows and demanded diamonds and cash. The robbers fled with the victim’s iPad, iPhone, cash, and a travel bag. Loose diamonds were hidden and not discovered by the robbers. The suspects fled in a white four door sedan, possibly a Toyota or Honda. They quickly discarded the iPhone and IPad, which were located a short time later by the police. Interestingly, video surveillance from the parking lot showed that the suspects were at the crime scene before the victim and seemed to be waiting for him to arrive. The victim was unable to provide a good description of his attackers because they were masked. It was not determined if the robbers were members of the South American gangs (SATG) usually associated with this category of crime. If you have information regarding this robbery, contact Detective Jonathan Atkinson, San Jose PD, #408-277-4166, email: 3870@sanjoseca.gov.

JEWELRY INDUSTRY CRIME COMPARED WITH CRIME AGAINST BANKS. According to a recent FBI report, “Bank Crime Statistics 2010”, there were 1,183 banks crimes (1160 Robberies - 21 Burglaries - 2 Larcenies) reported in the first three months of 2010, a reduction of about 22% compared to 2009. A total of $9,017,531 in cash was stolen for an average loss of approx. $7,623. For the same time period there were 367 crimes committed against the jewelry industry resulting in approx $21,071,333 in losses for an average loss of about $57,279. There is a big dollar difference between jewelry and bank industry losses. The majority of the bank robberies ccur in the south and west with Florida, Texas, and California, similar to the jewelry industry, having the most activity. Contrary to popular wisdom, crime is down in both the banking and jewelry industry. A recent JSA study indicated that jewelry crimes are down for the first six months of 2010 by over 13%. However, as we all are aware, this downward trend could end tomorrow unless we continue to employ the best loss prevention methods available and law enforcement continues to deploy their resources in a manner beneficial to the jewelry industry’s security. The information provided above could be a valuable reference when discussing police coverage for jewelers, opposed to banking institutions, with local law enforcement commanders and other local government officials. (A full set of jewelry industry crime statistics for 2009 can be downloaded from the JSA home page, www.jewelerssecurity.org.)

LOSS PREVENTION EMPLOYEE ARRESTED. Clermont, California, 7/27/10. A female loss prevention employee of a major department store chain, while in a grocery store located some distance from her place of employment, questioned two young boys regarding a theft of a cell phone at her job site. The theft had occurred about two weeks prior to this encounter. She then brought them back to her store to question them further. According to the employee, one of the under age suspects made an incriminating statement and then grew angry when the employee said that she was going to call his mother. The boy tried to leave and the loss prevention employee allegedly handcuffed him and then slammed him to the floor to prevent him from walking out. Subsequently, the Clermont Police arrested the loss prevention employee and charged her with child abuse and false imprisonment. COMMENT: If the above facts are accurate, in my pinion, it is reasonable to conclude that the employee did not act properly and grossly overstepped her limited authority. In addition to criminal charges, she has obviously created a serious financial civil liability for herself and her employer. This case does not involve the jewelry industry but it raises questions pertaining to all loss prevention personnel, including those in the jewelry industry, and the training they receive. (Source: dailycommercial.com)

WOODEN WEDGE USED TO PREVENT ELECTRONIC DOOR FROM LOCKING – GRAB AND RUN -JUPITER, FL. Recently, a thief pretending interest in making a purchase, was buzzed into a retail jewelry store located on W. Indiantown Road. He asked to see a bracelet seconds before smashing a display case, grabbing gold jewelry, leaving diamonds behind, and running out with sales staff in close pursuit. Unwisely, one sales associate grabbed and held on to the thief in an attempted to prevent him from leaving. The thief, unknown if he was armed with a gun or knife, was still able to escape. It was later discovered that upon entering through the electronically controlled door, the suspect had strategically placed a small wood wedge in the door frame, which prevented the door from locking and preventing his escape. If you have an electronically controlled door system that requires action on your part for both entering and exiting, it will be a simple matter to test if this would work for a thief at your place of business. If it does, corrective action should be taken immediately. Your system should be equipped to send an alert immediately should an electronically controlled door fail to lock properly.

WEST PALM BEACH JEWELER SHOT TO DEATH DURING ROBBERY. On Monday, 7/26/10, at about 8:30 AM, the victim, John Lauseng, was accosted by two masked men just as he arrived to open his business, “We Buy Gold Coin and Jewelry”, for the day. Detectives think that the victim was attempting to run from the robbers who then shot him in the back and arm. The police are searching for two masked men and an accomplice who drove their getaway vehicle, a dark green van. COMMENT: When confronted by an individual armed with a gun, with intentions of stealing your jewelry, it must be concluded that he will shoot if you resist in any way or if you do anything that would contribute to his/her apprehended and incarceration. Sadly, this jeweler’s decision to run was wrong, unfortunately, dead wrong.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN OKLAHOMA CITY. On 7/15/10, at about 8:30 am, an experienced jewelry salesman, selling for an east coast company, had just left his hotel when he was robbed at gun point while seated in his car. He had spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in Oklahoma City, OK, and before he could back his car out of a spot in hotel parking lot another vehicle stopped behind him and prevented him from driving away. Two masked men got out of the blocking car and approached the victim. One pointed a gun at their victims head while the other smashed the rear windows of his car and removed two line bags. The robbers also took personal items from the salesman including his watch. The victim wisely did not resist, followed the robber’s orders and was not injured.

JEWELER SHOT AFTER REFUSING GUNMAN’S ORDER TO OPEN SAFE. On 7/7/10, at about 11:30 am, two men, each armed with a gun, ordered the owner of a retail jewelery store, located on Peach St in Erie, PA, to open a display case. The owner refused and was then dragged into the back of the store and ordered to open his safe. For what ever reason, the jeweler again refused to comply with the robber’s demands and one of the men shot him in the chest. The robbers then ran from the store with the wounded owner chasing after them. The jeweler quickly stopped chasing the robbers and wisely sought help in a nearby shop where the police were called and medical attention was obtained. Latest reports indicate the owner is being treated at the nearby Hamot Medical Center. Fortunately, a witness provided the police with the plate number of the getaway car, which led to the arrest of two suspects. Initial reports indicate the suspects are a father and his son. COMMENT: Your life is of greater value than any amount of jewelry. To resist and refuse the demands of two armed robbers is incomprehensible. We will most likely never learn what motivated this poor man to resist, but he was wrong, almost DEAD WRONG. (Bob Frank, JSA)

GOLD SWITCH SUSPECT ARRESTED. During the week of 6/14/10 a photo of the suspect identified as, James F. Hill, was displayed with background information on the JSA homepage. Hill was wanted by several jurisdictions after being identified in connection with gold switch scams he perpetrated against retail jewelers and pawn shops. Hill’s photo is currently displayed on the JSA “Most Wanted” file, which can also be accessed from the JSA web site. Yesterday, on 7/6/10, Hill was taken into custody with the assistance of the US Marshalls Passaic/Morris Fugitive Task Force and is currently being detained at the Passaic County Jail. Any law enforcement agency seeking information regarding Hill should contact Det. Rob Anderson, Clifton, NJ, PD, Detective Div. #973-470-5908. MORE GOOD WORK BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE JSA 2009 ANNUAL CRIME REPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE BY GOING TO THE JSA HOME PAGE AND CLICKING ON “CRIME STATISTICS”, WHICH CAN BE FOUND NEAR THE TOP CENTER AREA OF THE PAGE. THIS REPORT IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND THOROUGH PUBLICATION REGARDING JEWELRY INDUSTRY CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES. THE INFORMATION COMPILED IN THIS REPORT WILL PROVIDE THE READER WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AGAINST THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY AND AN ACCURATE FOUNDATION FOR ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM.

ROBBERS THREATEN TWO TRAVELING SALESMEN WITH HYPODERMIC SYRINGE. On July1, 2010, at about 7 pm, two watch salesman, following a day of making business calls in the South San Francisco area of CA, stopped at a service station for gas. While both men stood outside of their car pumping gas and discussing business matters, a silver Caravan with 4/H/M pulled up, two men got out and came towards the salesmen. One of the suspects threatened them with a hypodermic syringe while the other smashed the rear window of the victim’s car and removed to laptop bags in the mistaken belief that they contained high-end watches. Two laptop computers were stolen but these victims, employed by an internationally known manufacturer of high-end watches, no longer carry lines with them so no watches were lost. Before driving from the scene the robbers also slashed a rear tire on the victim’s rental car to prevent the victims from following their attackers. It is not clear what, if anything was in the syringe used to intimidate them but the salesmen were wise not to resist and risk possible serious injury. Anyone being threatened by someone with a syringe must assume that contains a dangerous substance and even if it is empty and sterile, serious injury is still possible from the needle alone.

THIEF WEARING HOSPITAL SCRUBS RUNS WITH TWO HIGH-END WATCHES. A man, dressed in green hospital scrubs posed as a customer interested in purchasing a very expensive watch. The purpose of wearing scrubs was undoubtedly designed to trick a sales associate into believing the thief was a trust worthy member of the medical profession and therefore normal security concerns could be relaxed. This M.O. has been used successfully in the past and it apparently worked again this time at a retail jewelry store located on Dowlen Road, Beaumont, TX, at about 3:30 pm, on Monday, 6/21/10. As soon as the thief was allowed access to two very high-end watches, he grabbed them, ran out the door, and escaped in a white four door vehicle. TO REDUCE LOSSES FROM GRAB AND RUN THEFTS – RULE NUMBER #1, ONLY SHOW ONE ITEM AT A TIME.

GRAB AND RUN THEFTS SOAR. At least once every day a retail jeweler, somewhere in the USA, is victimized by a thief who initially poses as a customer before running off with jewelry he/she was allowed to hold during a presentation. So far in 2010, approximately 180 Grab and Run type crimes have been reported to the JSA. Such crimes have occurred in 35 states with TX, CA and FL being the most active. The majority of the losses have been between $5K and $20K but others have been as high as $200K. Most often the thief ran out after being, unwisely, allowed to hold and examine more than one item at a time. This category of crime is difficult to prevent but there are effective preventive steps outlined in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 36, 37, designed to reduce losses associated with these types of events. Loss prevention training for sales associates that will make them aware of the “Red Flags” to be alert for is vital. – Did the customer request to see the most expensive diamond in the store? Is the customer talking on a cell phone while requesting to see jewelry? Does the customer fit your regular customer profile? Is the customer wearing a baseball style cap that partially conceals his/her facial features, which may include tattoos? Does the customer seem to be overly interested in having a number of items shown at the same time, and annoyed when informed only one item can be displayed? Does the customer appear nervous and perhaps constantly looking around and appearing to be possibly measuring the distance to the door? Does the customer decline to sit down when offered a comfortable chair during your presentation? These are all “Red Flags” to consider. (There are others) Jewelers should also have a well rehearsed “Internal Alert” plan that can be activated by any staff member when “Red Flags” are observed.

ATTACKS ON TRAVELING SALESPERSONS ARE DECLINING - WHY? Historically, the statistical records maintained at the JSA, pertaining to off-premises attacks on jewelers traveling with jewelry, were basically consistent at each yearly half way mark. Each year, by the end of June the JSA received reports of approximately 100 attacks, with the resulting losses reaching about $20 million. However, last year, 2009, that changed drastically for the better. On 6/22/09 reports regarding attacks on traveling salespeople declined to 58, and dollar losses were cut almost in half to about $11 million. The dollar losses reported so far in 2010, as of 6/22, are down to $6 million with the number of attacks reduced to 40. Based on these facts it appears logical that crime against traveling salespersons will decline even further in the future. This certainly appears to be all good news. However, when seeking to determine why this decline is occurring the good news may not be as good as thought. Recent comments from leading industry experts indicate that, although they believe law enforcement is doing an excellent job regarding this category of crime, the more likely reason for fewer attacks on traveling salespersons is the fact that there are many fewer of them on the road. Apparently, many “salespeople” on the road today are not carrying product and are no longer directly involved in sales. Some industry leaders predicted that the day of traveling jewelry salespersons may be coming to an end and the occupational specialty, traveling jewelry salesperson, will no longer be available. Obviously, this is not good news for a lot of folks.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN WICHITA, KS. Last night, 6/17/10, at about 9:15 pm, as the victim was leaving a restaurant and returning to his car, parked nearby, he was robbed at knife point. The salesman, after seeing two men jump out of vehicle and come towards him, started running back to the restaurant with his line, but unfortunately he tripped and fell. One of the men threatened him with a knife while the other robber grabbed the line bag before running back to there vehicle and escaping. Before they fled, the robbers punctured one of the salesman’s tires with a knife to prevent him from following them. COMMENT: The fact that this loss occurred in Wichita, or anywhere else in Kansas, is unusual and illustrates long time JSA advice that jewelers must be alert no matter if you are working in a major city such as LA, or a city not known for extensive jewelry crime, like Wichita, KS. It is obvious that the robbers had followed their victim, most likely from his last call, to the restaurant and then waited for him to come back to his car.

FAKE GOLD MADE WITH STAINLESS STEEL-NOT DETECTED WITH ACID OR A MAGNET. The JSA continues to receive reports from jewelers and pawn shop owners who have been ripped off by individuals selling fake gold that is not detected using normal acid and magnet tests. The latest reports from victims indicate that the bogus gold is heavily plated over a form of stainless steel that will not react to acid or a magnet, and is only detected when a torch is used to try and melt the item. The steel will not melt. Jewelry in this stainless steel form is showing up as chains, earrings, rings and pendants. One victim stated, “I tested the ring with the GXL 24 Pro, plus the normal acid procedure, cut into the edge an easy cm, it tested gold. When I made another cut, at least twice as deep is when it tested not gold.”

RE: RESPONSE TO DEPT OF JUSTICE REPORT ON JAIL POPULATIONS. Thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding the Dept of Justice report showing a decline in local jail populations. Your comments seem to be well thought out and based on a more than average knowledge of the subject. I find it most interesting that you believe it unlikely that a lower jail population could be the result of a lower crime rate. I will give your hypothesis some further thought. I hope your knowledge is the result of studies you conducted outside the walls and not during an internal experience at government expense. (Just kidding) I have always found this an interesting subject and a very accurate reflection of many problems impacting our society. The BJS report contains many other interesting, revealing and disturbing facts that, in my opinion, correlate closely with what we see on the evening news every day. Having made hundreds of visits to jails and prison facilities in an official capacity, I can assure you that being incarcerated is not pleasant and I cannot understand why it is not a greater deterrent to crime and especially recidivism? The entire report can be found on the Dept of Justice web site. (Comments from other readers with a viewpoint are welcome and encouraged.)

RE: DEPT OF JUSTICE REPORTS LOCAL JAIL POPULATIONS DECLINED IN 2009 The decreasing jail population can be contributed to a wide variety of factors, such as increased likelihood of being released on parole, or perhaps the tail end of a period of increased incarceration as inmates are being released. Also, the age of prisoners is increasing and the decline could also be affected by inmate death. Yet another aspect to consider is the judicial, in that some laws may have been changed or the consequences lessened. There have been statistics however, correlating an increase of funding for welfare programs and a decrease in prison populations, whether that is the case or not I do not know. To wrap things up, I do not believe that the decline can be attributed to simply one cause, and I have touched on only a few here, but a correlation between the prison population and the crime rate seems the least likely.

VITAL STATISTICS FROM JBT. According to a recent report from the Jewelers Board of Trade, there were 30,152 manufacturing, wholesale and retail jewelry businesses in the USA, in May, 2009. In May, 2010, the total number of jewelry business decreased to 29,609. That means in the span of only one year 543 jewelry business, 1.8% of the industry closed their doors and ceased operations for various reasons. Year to date, 2010, the JBT reports that there have been 32 bankruptcies compared to 52 for the same time period in 2009. That almost sounds like good news?

SUSPECT ON JSA WEB SITE IDENTIFIED AND STILL ACTIVE. The individual in the photograph located on the upper left of the JSA web site homepage has been identified as, James Hill, FBI #486694W8. Law enforcement has advised the JSA that Hill has a long arrest record including 36 arrests in New Jersey and he has used more than 20 aliases. Hill is a suspect in connection with crimes against retail jewelers and pawn shops in Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Most recently, on 5/20/10, Hill was identified in connection with a gold switch at a retail jewelry store in Houston, TX. On 529/10, he was identified in connection with another gold switch at a pawn shop in Vandalia, OH. Hill is apparently aware that the police are trying to hunt him down so he is moving fast and not staying in one location for very long. During the Vandalia loss Hill still had his distinctive beard and he wore a baseball cap. If you have any information regarding this suspect please contact your local police and provide them with the information under Hill’s picture or call Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067. Hill should be considered a dangerous individual and possibly armed. No attempt should be made to apprehend this suspect other than by law enforcement personnel.

YOUNG CHILD USED BY DISTRACTION TEAM. One suspect was described as a W/F/25 yrs, 5’5”, dark hair. Her accomplice was a H/F/50 yrs. With these two women was a female child, about seven years old, dressed in pink/yellow and wearing black Nike shoes. She was called “Cassie” by the older women. They visited the store on two occasions posing as customers. On the second visit Cassie appeared to be acting up and one suspect started chasing her around the store causing a distraction. A sales associate, who’s attention was diverted to the child and the pursuing female suspect, did not see the other female reach into a case and steal jewelry. The suspects left without making a purchase and the loss was not discovered until case counts were conducted later in the day. Using a child in this manner to distract sales staff is not unusual and has proven to be very successful, especially with inexperienced or untrained staff. This is an old trick often, but not always, employed by Gypsy criminal groups. Retailers should be able to recognize the signs related to this distraction method when the suspects walk in the door. An unruly child should be considered a great big “Red Flag” and a retailer’s internal alert system should be activated immediately. (See JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, page 15, Para 9, 10) All jewelry businesses should also have a camera positioned to take an eye level photo of everyone who enters their premises. This loss occurred in Lebanon, PA on 5/30/10, but it could happen anywhere, to anyone if you are not alert.

COUNTERFEIT CHECKS. The JSA has recently received a report of criminals writing fraudulent (Counterfeit) checks on bank accounts of an unsuspecting jewelry manufacturing firm. Fortunately, alert bank employees discovered the fraud before the checks were cashed. In one incident the check number was out of sequence and the bank caught it and immediately notified the intended victim. In another incident the signature cards had been recently changed and the fraudulent check signatures did not match the new signatures. SUGGESTIONS: Have the phrase “FOR DEPOSIT ONLY” printed on the back of your checks. Bank officials seem to be much better at identifying fraudulent transactions, than in the past, but jewelers should at least carefully review their monthly statements, separately from the usual bank reconciliation. If you have internet banking, and it is not too onerous a task, review daily cleared checks and if you have a security officer, they should review this with you. As we all are aware, with today’s technology, it is not very difficult to print a very good quality fraudulent replication of your check. Jewelers should not rely completely on others, including your bank, in regard to any crime prevention or security matter. You, the owner of a jewelry business, are the most important element of your crime prevention efforts, no matter how modern and elaborate they may be. For additional information regarding fraudulent checks, please review the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 42 to 52.

FBI REPORTS CRIME DOWN IN 2009. On 5/24/10, the FBI released their annual report on crime, which indicated a significant drop in crime rates during 2009 compared to 2008. This is the third year in a row that the FBI has reported a decline in crime rates. Contrary to popular wisdom, often based on reports from unqualified sources, the FBI’s conclusions are consistent with the findings of the JSA regarding our industry. They are also consistent with all other reports from credible law enforcement officials and studies conducted by other government agencies. The Federal Reserve Bank conducted a ten year study regarding the effect the economy has on crime and concluded there was none. The FBI reported that violent crime is down 5.5% and property crime declined by 4.9%. Robbery was down 8.1% and murder declined by 7.2%. A recent tabulation by the JSA of jewelry industry crime, comparing crime incidents so far this year with the same period in 2009, shows a nearly 17% decline in the number of criminal events. It is not often that I am able to report good news – Hopefully the trend will continue. Bob Frank, JSA. (An article containing more information from the FBI report can be found in today’s NY Times)

JEWELERS MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. ALERTING JEWELERS OF THREAT TO BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM. Is your alarm system working properly? You need to make certain that it is. Alarm systems using either one-way or two way radio transmission in the US may be affected by recent changes in regard to the AlarmNet-M radio network, and you may no longer have line security. 95% of alarm companies in the US will be affected. Line security ensures that the communication channel used to transmit alarm signals to the alarm company is functioning properly and detects attempts to attack an alarm system. Simply put, without line-security you really have no security. Jewelers are urged to call their alarm company and determine if they are affected by this recent change and arrange for installation of an equivalent level of protection. Currently, the only UL-listed alternative is an internet-based solution, which must be installed by the alarm company. If you are insured by JM you most likely have already been advised regarding the proper steps in regard to this important matter.

ARMED ROBBER SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE IN TEXAS. On May 18, 2010, at about 5:30 p.m., at a retail jewelry store located on Main St, Rio Grande City, TX, the police shot and killed a man wearing gloves, a bandana over his face and armed with a 9 millimeter handgun. The gunman had just committed a robbery at the store and attempted to kidnap a 64-year-old woman and use her as a shield to escape responding police units. It is not clear if the robber fired at the officers first.(Associated Press report)

VICIOUS GANG HIT IN OKEECHOBEE, FL AND CHESTERFIELD, VA. A gang of five Hispanic men are suspected of brutally pistol whipping female sales associates during robberies at retail locations in FL on 2/17/10, and in VA on 5/13/10. The JSA has posted sketches of three of the suspects on the JSA web site. Initially, they have posed as customers, obviously to case their targets before pulling guns, assaulting associates and fleeing with jewelry and cash. One victim described the suspects as being either Salvadorian or from Honduras. On one occasion three of the men cased the store the day prior to the robbery. No telling where they might strike next. If you believe these men have visited your store, call the police immediately and show them this message. If you have information regarding this gang please call, Det. Bettye Taylor of the Okeechobee, FL, PD at #863-763-5521 or Det. April Motto of the Chesterfield, VA, PD at #804-318-8471.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN CINCINNATI, OHIO. On 5/5/10, while loading his line into his car, a minivan pulled up and two Hispanic men armed with knives, jumped out of the van and took the salesman’s line bags. Wisely, the victim did not resist and was not injured. This is the first reported attack on a traveling jewelry salesperson in Cincinnati, OH, since September, 2008. Jewelry salespersons contemplating doing business in the Cincinnati area are advised to utilize extra caution in the event the group responsible for this attack decides to stay in the area for a while. The attack occurred in Cincinnati as the victim was departing a retail customer, but it is not know if he was followed from another city prior to this attack.

SECURITY GUARDS CHARGED WITH BURLARY. On 5/5/10, the police from Montgomery County, MD, arrested two security guards who worked at the Westfield Wheaton Mall, for stealing more than $50,000 in cash and jewelry from a kiosk. The two guards and a third accomplice were charged with breaking into the, Gold Rush Kiosk, on three occasions, 1/17/10, 3/12/10, and 4/30/10. The police obtained search warrants for the homes of the suspects and recovered cash, jewelry, a gun, and nearly a pound of marijuana.

Your jewlers should be told that it is a generally accepted fact, by police and correction people that a person with tear drop tattoos near their eyes, most likely got them while in a prison for more than a traffic ticket. Tear drop tattoos is a prison thing and if the “customer”, asking to see the biggest diamond in the store, or the most expensive watch has tear drop tats on his face, BE CAREFUL.

TUCSON, AZ – BURGLARS FAIL TO DEFEAT A TRTL30X6 SAFE. On 4/4/10, a retail jeweler’s central station alarm company received a signal indicating that someone was inside the premises. Police responded and found no sign of forced entry and left. 20 minutes later another signal was received and the police responded again and reported that everything appeared to be in order. Unfortunately, the police did not check the roof because that is where the burglars got in and out. The next morning an employee discovered a mess left by the burglars who attacked a vault door and a TRTL30X6 safe but were unable to defeat either one or no loss of merchandise was involved. COMMENT: This attack supports two long time recommendations by the JSA. Jewelers must respond to their place of business whenever a signal is received by the alarm company, regardless of probable cause provided. The jeweler should allow the police to make an internal search, including the roof. If the alarm company determines that the cause was “Line Trouble” the location should not be left unattended until the line problem has been corrected. The JSA has strongly recommended that jewelers update their safes to a TRTL30X6 or TRTL15X6 safe. These burglars are not the first to fail at an attempt to enter a TRTL30X6.

INDIANAPOLIS RETAIL JEWELER SLAIN DURING ROBBERY. On 4/9/10, the owner of Pedigo Jewelry was found shot to death in his store, located in the fountain Square area. On 4/10/10, the police arrested a suspect who was found in possession of jewelry stolen from Pedigo and the gun used to kill the jeweler. The suspect was also identified by the owner of a local adult book store, who was robbed and beaten during a robbery on 4/3/10.

JEWELRY SALES PERSON STABBED IN DALLAS PARKING GARAGE. Yesterday, Thursday, 4/8/10, at about 12:15 PM, four Hispanic men, dressed in all black clothing, pulled their victim from his car parked on the fourth floor of the parking garage, and fled with his line. The suspects were armed with knives and stabbed the victim twice in the leg before escaping in a red SUV. Anyone with information regarding this attack is asked to contact Detective David Clark of the Dallas PD, at #214-671-3602.

SAN ANGELO, TX. RETAILER KILLS ARMED ROBBER IN SHOOTOUT. On 3/31/10, at about 1 pm, Juan Luis Martinez, a M/H/20, armed with a handgun walked into a retail jewelry store located on Sherwood Way, announced a robbery and then exchanged shots with an employee. When the smoked cleared the robber was dead on the floor. The employee, who was understandably shaken, had shot and killed the robber with his legally carried gun. No one else was injured. The employee and the owner were the only people in the store at the time of the incident. A sign on the outside of the store reads, “WE BUY GOLD FOR CASH.” Similar signs have become very popular and can be found displayed by many retailers throughout the country. The words are designed to draw in customers with gold they wish to sell; however, those same words also may draw in criminals looking for cash to steal.

SYRACUSE, NY. - FEMALE THIEF SWITCHES DIAMOND EARRINGS WITH CZ’s USING A YOUNG MALE CHILD TO DISTRACT SALES ASSOCIATES. On 3/26/10, a female thief, posing as a customer and accompanied by a young boy, who she called “Drew”, switched a pair of diamond earrings valued at $3,200, with similar CZ earrings. A subsequent police investigation found that the suspect had also committed a similar switch at a store in Mattydale, NY, in January. Syracuse police have arrested the suspect identified as, Carrie Cozzens, F/35, dark complexion, thin, and charged her with grand larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. If you think you have been a victim of this suspect, please contact Syracuse PD, Sgt Tom Connellan, #315-442-5222.

SAFES REMOVED BY BURGLARS IN NJ, NC AND CA. On 2/7/10, in Paramus, NJ, burglars cut a hole in a common, unprotected wall of a retail jewelry store and a Lens Crafters. The safe was then pulled through the hole by the burglars without ever entering the jewelry store. The safe, containing approx $3 million in jewelry, was then loaded onto a truck and removed by the burglars. On 2/20/10, in Kernersville, NC, five burglars gained entry into a jewelry store through a hole in an unprotected roof. The men were caught on a surveillance video using a hand cart to push the 2000 pound safe out of the store and then load it onto a truck. However, in an apparent effort to make a hasty escape the safe fell off the truck when they made a sharp turn driving away from the scene of the crime. The safe was recovered and two of the burglars were subsequently arrested. On 2/24/10, in San Juan Capistrano, CA, burglars cut a hole in a common unprotected wall of a jewelry store and an adjacent business and removed the jeweler’s safe through a rear entrance. This loss was reported to be about $1 million. COMMENT: The alarm systems involved in these burglaries were obviously inadequate and most likely did not include line security. Jewelers should not rely solely on the weight of a safe to prevent removal and should consider taking the added step of anchoring them in some manner to hinder and deter removal by criminals. Many UL rated safes are equipped with a means for anchoring.

BURGLARS REMOVE 2000 POUND SAFE AND NEVER ENTERED THE JEWELRY STORE. Last Sunday, 2/7/10, in Paramus, NJ, between 8 and 11 p.m., while most of us were watching the Super Bowl, burglars cut the power lines to a Lens Crafters’ business and disabled their alarm system. After entering Lens Crafters they broke through a common wall with a jewelry store, directly behind the jeweler’s safe, weighing over 2,000 lbs. Without actually entering the jewelry business, the burglars managed to pull the safe (UL TL30X6) into the Lens Crafters area and then apparently loaded it onto a truck and took it to another location, where they can take their time attacking it. The loss was initially reported to be approximately $3 million. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Paramus Detective Michael Cebulski at #201-262-3400, ext. 364.

RECOVERED JEWELRY FROM MADISON AVE HOMICIDE LEADS TO A SUSPECT. NYPD investigators got a big break yesterday when they spoke to an individual who had acquired several pieces of the jewelry stolen during the 1/27/10 shooting death at R.S. Durant Jewelers, 962 Madison Ave. The police have picked up a suspect but have not yet officially identified him as the shooter.

JEWELRY STOLEN DURING HOMICIDE ON 1/27/10 AT R.S. DURANT JEWELERS, 962 MADISON AVE, NYC. The jewelry stolen during this tragic event can now be viewed on the JSA Web Site. On the home page click “Tracking Stolen Jewelry.” Then click on “Jewelry Search”, located on the left side of the screen. Then click “All Jewelry.” Then click and enter status “Stolen.” Then type in key word “Madison” and click “Search.” At this time you will see a list with a brief description of the jewelry stolen during the homicide. Next to each listing you will see an icon of a small camera. Click on the camera icon to see photographs of each item. I know this may sound complicated but it is actually a simple procedure. Industry members and police officers are invited to search the Stolen Jewelry Web Site when coming into possession or being offered for sale, jewelry of suspicious origin. By clicking on the “Item” number the contact information for the appropriate members of law enforcement will be available. Please contact Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067, if you have questions or difficulty entering the site.

January 27, 2010 NEW YORK (AP) — A jewelry store worker was shot to death in a brazen midday robbery Wednesday in a shop on posh Madison Avenue, police said. Two people were working at R.S. Durant at about 12:25 p.m. when a man in his 30s wearing a blue overcoat, gray slacks, sunglasses, a black wool hat and a scarf around his face came into the Upper East Side store and said he was robbing the place, police said. The workers refused to fill two canvas bags the gunman brought, police said. The suspect took out the clip from his semiautomatic pistol and showed it to the employees, saying, "You think I'm kidding? This is real" before putting the clip back in and firing once, said NYPD spokesman Paul J. Browne. Henry Menahem, 72, was hit once in the chest. The second worker, a 49-year-old man, asked if he could call 911 to help Menahem, but the gunman refused. The store is only about 12 feet wide and about 20 feet deep and had jewelry cases hanging on the walls. The gunman smashed one of the cases and loaded bags with diamond necklaces and other jewels before fleeing south on Madison Avenue. No customers were in the store, located between 75th and 76th streets, at the time. Police were still looking for the suspect. The victim was taken to Lenox Hill hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A call to the Menahem home in Long Branch, N.J., was answered by a friend who said the family was "in total shock." The neighborhood boasts rows of swanky boutiques and expensive jewelry shops and the incident occurred not far from the Whitney Museum of American Art. The area near the shop was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, but traffic was moving along Madison Avenue. Carmen Fontanez, a private security guard who patrols the stretch of Madison Avenue, said a man was smoking in front of the store when a tall man wearing a ski mask and sunglasses pushed him inside and shut the door behind him. The shooting happened very quickly, she said. Other shopkeepers said R.S. Durant is a relatively new store and was about a year old. A shell casing from a 9-mm semiautomatic pistol was recovered at the scene. Police have been in contact with the store's owner. It's not clear how much the stolen jewelry was worth.

POSITIONING OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS. Over the years the JSA has received hundreds of crime videos from police investigators and directly from jewelry industry crime victims. Most are interesting, of fair or better quality, and usually present a good visual representation of various criminal events, robberies, thefts, etc. For use in regard to training of sales associates to prevent recurrences, these videos are of value. However, for purposes of identifying the criminals responsible and placing them behind bars, the majority have no value because the cameras were incorrectly positioned and only captured images of the top of the criminal’s head and not the face. The criminals are obviously aware of this flaw in our armor and most often compound the problem by wearing baseball caps to further obscure their faces. Regardless of what may be portrayed on TV and Hollywood, criminals cannot be identified with videos taken by cameras positioned at an angle so high that a picture of a criminals face is not captured. On the behalf of every Detective, Investigator, and Special Agent in the US, who has or will ever be assigned to investigate a jewelry industry crime, please have a surveillance camera installed and positioned TODAY that will capture a full face photograph of every person who walks into your place of business. When criminals case your place of business in preparation of making your business their next victim they will pay close attention to your camera angles and will surely be deterred when they realize that you just took their picture. (Bob Frank, VP, JSA)

BROOKLYN, NY – ROBBER SHOT DURING STRUGGLE WITH JEWELER. On 12/29/09, three black men, one waving a gun, walked into a retail jewelry store on 86th Street and announced a robbery. The owner resisted and fought with the armed individual. During their struggle a shot was fired and one of the other robbers was wounded in the stomach. The three men, including the wounded suspect, fled with about $100k worth of jewelry. However, all three have since been arrested. The police are still attempting to recover the stolen loot. Fortunately, the jeweler was not seriously injured. This incident could have easily resulted in the death of the jeweler, who was protected with insurance for loses incurred during a robbery. Stolen jewelry can be replaced by your insurance company. A life lost protecting jewelry is gone forever. Jewelers should never resist an armed jewelry criminal.

ROBBERS ESCAPE WITH MILLIONS – LEWISVILLE, TEXAS. On Monday morning on 12/28/09, just prior to opening for the day, a “customer” held up a watch to the window at a retail jeweler located on West Main Street, signaling that he wanted to have a battery replaced. (Lewisville is north of Dallas). An employee, alone in the store, opened the door and the “customer” immediately put a gun in his face, while holding the door open for an accomplice. The robbers fled with two duffel bags filed with jewelry and a suitcase containing gold coins. They also took the surveillance video recorder with them. The initial loss amount is reported to be between $1 and $6 million. The individual who came to the door with the watch was described as a M/W, well groomed, clean shaven, with dark brown hair. Jewelers are reminded never to allow anyone in your place of business before opening or after closing. JSA members are referred to the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 9-12 for more information and suggestions regarding this very important subject.

LATE NIGHT BANK DEPOSITS. With holiday season upon us and optimistic predictions of perhaps the best season in a couple of years, this is a good time for retail jewelers to review security procedures. One security problem that we have seen increase during past holiday seasons has been robberies of store personnel while making late night bank deposits. Criminals have been known to wait at bank deposit drop location and attack individuals making a drop. Not surprisingly, in many instances the attacks involved unaccompanied female employees. However, men were also victimized. The JSA recommends that deposits remain in the store overnight and delivered to the bank during safer business hours. Some retailers also hire private security firms to escort store personnel making banks drops after hours. This is something to give careful consideration, before something happens!

SPECIAL ALERT FOR RETAIL JEWELERS REGARDING METHODS USED BY BURGLARS IN CONNECTION WITH ACTIVE PATTERN OF ROOFTOP BURGLARIES– ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES. Targeted jewelry stores are always cased to some degree before an entry is attempted. Jewelers must be on constant alert for suspicious individuals, usually posing as customers, showing more interest in your security measures than in making a purchase. It is common for the burglars to intensionally cause a signal to be sent to your alarm company, usually by cutting a telephone line in a manner not easily detectible by alarm company investigators or responding police personnel. Upon receipt of a signal the police and the owner are notified and under ideal situations they and the alarm company all respond and inspect the premises to find no sign of forced entry. The alarm company diagnoses the problem as “line trouble” and notifies the phone company to check the line and repair the condition. Everyone then leaves and the jeweler goes home relieved that there was not a break-in. The problem now is that the jewelry store is no longer protected and will not be until the phone company makes the repair. Unfortunately, these attacks most often occurred on a weekend night and the phone company is not coming until Monday morning to avoid paying overtime to their repair crew. The burglars know this and can now break into the store and take their time attacking a safe or vault with little fear of detection. Under all such situations, when “Line Trouble” is the determined to be the cause of a signal, the affected location must he guarded and occupied until the trouble is corrected and the alarm system reactivated. Some of the victims in the recent attacks had no line security and no protection for their roofs, ceilings or common (plaster board) walls adjacent to other unprotected businesses. If you do not have some form of line security the burglars only need to cut your phone line and you no longer have an active alarm system. Too many of the victims had safes that were nothing more than fire safes or safes that had UL ratings far below acceptable underwriting standards for the amount of value involved. The JSA recommends the correct rating for a safe used by a retail jeweler should be a TRTL30X6. In at least one case the burglars did not even attempt to attack a TRTL30X6 safe and chose instead to attack a TL30 safe, which they easily entered. In several instances burglars found enough jewelry left out in display cases overnight to make their efforts worth their while, and never attacked the safes. They probably concluded that the safes were empty because all the jewelry was on display. (If you are a jeweler and you are not familiar with UL ratings, and unaware of the difference between a TRTL30X6 and TL30, you should contact a security expert or the JSA. as soon as possible. The burglars know the difference.) For additional information regarding this serious problem please refer to the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security.

POLICE OFFICER SECURITY ESCORT SHOT IN HOUSTON. On Friday, 9/11/09, at about 4 PM, a watch salesman from New Jersey, left his line in his car with an off-duty police officer employed as his security escort for the day, while the salesman ran up to his hotel room to get something. Soon after the salesman entered the hotel, located across the street from the Galleria, a car full of armed bad guys wearing masks pulled up. They immediately smashed the rear windows to get at the line. What happened next is not exactly clear but when the gun smoke settled the officer was wounded in the leg, one bad guys was dumped by his accomplices at a nearby hospital with two gunshots and the police were searching for second suspect who was also believed shot and possibly DOA. Thankfully, the officer's wound was not serious and he left the hospital soon after being treated. The bad guys, Hispanic male SATG members did not get the line either. Another great job by an outstanding member of professional law enforcement.

GOLD CHAINS SWITCHED BY SELLER. On 9/1/09, two Hispanic men presented 14K gold chains for sale to a retailer located on State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. They tested positive for 14K and after weighing the chains, the retailer offered $4,000 cash. The seller put the chains back into his bag while they discussed the price. The seller then agreed to the price and pulled the chains out of his bag and handed them to the retailer who weighed them again and the weight was the same, however, he did not re-test. The Hispanic men then left after receiving the cash. The following day the retailer re-tested the chains and discovered they had been switched with gold plated chains which were stamped 14K. The suspects are described as: #1-M/H, tall, 170 lbs, mustache, CA Driver’s Lic. with name, Luis Meza. #2-M/H, 5’6”, long braided hair, cell phone, wearing big dial watch. This is an old scam that has been posted on the JSA Crime Message Center in the very recent past.

JEWELRY CRIME DOWN IN SAUDI ARABIA – READ WHY!! A court in Abha, Saudi Arabia, has sentenced the leader of a jewelry store robbery gang to have his head cut off and then to a three- day “crucifixion”, a public display of his headless body. Six other gang members will also lose their heads for their part in a series of jewelry store robberies in the towns of Tanouma and Qana, according to a story in the Saudi Gazette by Abdul Rahman Al-Qarni. Two others from the 23 member gang got 15 years in prison, six got ten years and one received seven years. All will also receive from 1,000 to 1,300 lashes with a whip. It was not clear if those scheduled to die would also be whipped before losing their heads. The remainder of the gang received sentences from 15 months to one year. The arrests apparently took place between 2005 and 2007 and I would wager that their appeals, which often take 10 years in the USA, will not delay carrying out the sentences.

ROBBER USED A GUN AND A BABY STROLLER. On Monday, 7/210/09, in Bowie, MD, a man pushing an empty baby stroller followed the female jeweler, who was alone and opening a jewelry store at the start of the business day. Once inside the man displayed a gun, forced the woman to open the safe and then tied her up. The robber then loaded the store’s inventory into the stroller and calmly walked out and made his escape. Information regarding the safe and proper procedures for opening and closing a jewelry business is covered in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 19, 20. The basic advice is to never open alone. It is also most likely that the robber spent some time casing this store and probably watched the victim opening alone several times before committing the robbery. It is during the time the criminals are watching and studying their intended victims that they are most vulnerable to be spotted by an alert and vigilant target, who can then take appropriate action.

INTERPOL DESCRIBES “PINK PANTHERS’ AS TRANSNATIONAL GANG OF 200 MEMBERS. Two months ago detectives and investigators from 16 countries met in Monaco as part of “Project Pink Panther”, which was established in 2007 by Interpol. The gang is suspected of being responsible for more than 90 jewelry crimes in 19 countries since 1999. Recently, two high ranking gang members were arrested in Paris and another was arrested in Montenegro in connection with a nearly $2 million loss to a jeweler in Germany. Three others were also arrested recently in Monaco as they were about to pull an armed robbery. History has demonstrated that it would not be unusual for a group like this to come to the USA to escape the current intense interest by law enforcement in Europe. This information should be of great interest to the many luxury US jewelry firms with stores and interests in Europe.

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