Attempted Grab and Run Thief

Subject sought in attempted theft from jewelry kiosk.

by Crime Suspects

Tukwila, WA– On August 18, 2024, a grab and run attempt occurred at a mall’s jewelry kiosk location.  An unknown male subject approached the location and told the employee he “does music” and wanted to see “pirate themed jewelry”. The subject took interest in two pieces and asked to see them as a set.  The employee remained in possession of both items and showed the subject both from behind the counter. The subject requested to try two on, but the employee informed him that she could not let him do so.  The subject then reached across the counter and tried grabbing the gold chain/pendant combination but was unsuccessful.  The subject then said “I just wanted to see it” and ran from the location.  Mall Security and Tukwila Police Department were contacted.  No reported injuries.  All merchandise was recovered and returned to the showcase.

Suspect(s) Description: Black male, late-20’s to early-30’s, approximately 5’8”, thin build, black goatee, wearing a white head covering, black sunglasses, pink/white t-shirt, light blue jean shorts.

If you have any information regarding the individual who attempted to commit this crime, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328. Jewelers and their employees should remain vigilant and alert while showing their product line.

Trumbull, CT Thief

Subject sought in grab and run theft from Jewelry Store in Trumbull, CT

by Crime Suspects

Trumbull, CT Subject

Trumbull, CT– On 8/16/2024, at approximately 6:38 pm, a lone male subject entered a jewelry store. The subject requested to look at diamond necklaces and bracelets. After looking at a couple necklaces and a bracelet, the subject requested to look at the diamond necklace depicted above. The employee presented the necklace which was placed on a presentation pad. The subject then requested to have a pendant attached to the necklace.

The team member removed the pendant and was attempting to secure the pendant on the necklace when the subject took possession of both the necklace and pendant. The subject attempted to assist with securing the pendant on the necklace. After a moment, while both items were in his possession, the subject ran from the store. No injuries were reported. Mall Security and the Trumbull Police were notified.

Subject Description: Male, Black, 6’, 30 to 35 yrs, thin build, beard, wearing blue head covering, sunglasses, white zip up jacket, white t-shirt, Nike gray sweatpants, white sneakers, shoulder strapped bag.

If you have any information regarding the individual who committed this crime, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328. Jewelers and their employees should remain vigilant and alert while showing their product line.

Handcuffs

Beverly Hills, CA- Police report $1M Watch Robbery At Beverly Hills Restaurant Offers View Into ‘Crime Tourism.

by Arrests

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — August 14, 2024 – Two South Americans who were part of a “crime tourism” group were charged Tuesday with stealing a man’s $1 million watch at gunpoint while he dined at a restaurant patio at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The crew had been scouting the victim — and his watch — for two weeks and committed another robbery in Beverly Hills while staying at a Los Angeles Airbnb, prosecutors said. During a search of the Airbnb, officers discovered a gun registered to the notorious former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner, who killed four people before committing suicide in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.


Suspect 1– Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, 21, of Colombia, is charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Suspect 2– Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, 19, of Venezuela, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery, prosecutors said.

The robbery occurred Aug. 7 at around 6:40 p.m. when the victim was sitting with his wife and 5-year-old twin daughters on the patio of The Blvd restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, near Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, Homeland Security Task Force Officer Thomas Ferguson wrote in court documents obtained by Patch.

One suspect approached the group and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim and pulled back the gun’s slide, chambering a round. While he held the victim at gunpoint and yelled in Spanish, the second suspect approached the man and removed the silver Patek Philippe Emerald Nautilus watch from his wrist, prosecutors said.

The victim, a U.K. citizen and United Arab Emirates resident who was a guest at the hotel, said he feared for his and his family’s lives and let the suspect take the watch without a struggle, according to court documents

The suspects fled the scene on Rodeo Drive and eventually got into a blue Toyota Corolla; Sepulveda served as the getaway driver, prosecutors said. The car was “cold plated” — using a license plate that was not registered to the vehicle. That often suggests the plate is stolen and used to conceal crimes and avoid police attention, according to court documents. Authorities three days later executed a search warrant at an Airbnb where the South American theft group had been staying on Browning Boulevard in Los Angeles: Security camera footage showed the group leaving the night before, according to court documents.

During the search, officers found a Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun in a bedroom that was registered to Dorner, according to court documents. Authorities have not said how they believe the suspects came to possess the gun.

Click here to view the article written by Chris Lindahl.

Stamford, CT Subjects

Subjects sought in theft of ring from Jewelry store in Stamford, CT

by Crime Suspects
Theft Subjects

Stamford, CT– An investigation revealed a distraction theft occurred on July 18, 2024, at approximately 2:45 p.m. A male and female couple alleged they were shopping for a gold chain. The employee showed a gold chain from the clearance showcase. Following the presentation, while the employee was returning the chain to the case, the male subject extended his arm into the showcase, stopping the team member from securing the case.

The female subject was positioned on the left side of the team member and the male on the right. The team member turned her head towards the female, and the male subject quickly removed his right arm from the showcase, holding the men’s ring in his right palm hidden behind him. The male subject concealed the ring in his pant pocket as he quickly walked away from the showcase. The employee, not noticing the theft, locked the showcase and moved towards the gold chain showcase. No injuries were reported. A report was filed with the Stamford Police Department.  

Subject Descriptions:

Suspect 1: Male, White European, 35 to 40 years, medium build, 5’9”, beard, wearing a black hat, graphic t-shirt, blue jean, and white sneakers.

Suspect 2: Female, White European, 35 to 40 years, medium build, 5’6”, long hair, wearing a white shirt, long black skirt. 

Both subjects spoke with accents.

The Jewelers Security Alliance suspects these suspects are part of an organized theft ring traveling throughout the United States committing crimes against the jewelry industry. Members of the Jewlery Industry should always be alert to these type of distraction thefts.

If you have any information regarding this incident or individuals who committed this crime, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Burglar leaving crime scene.

Mall kiosk burglarized overnight; jewelry stolen according to police

by Crimes

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – August 13, 2024 – Eaton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a robbery took place at the Lansing Mall overnight Tuesday. Police told News 10 they were called to the Lansing Mall around 12:30 a.m. Jewelry was stolen from a kiosk inside the mall. One man was caught on surveillance video stealing the jewelry but is not currently arrested.

To view article provided by WILX News 10, click here.

If you have any information regarding this incident or individual who committed this crime, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Police_Line_Crime_Scene_

Ellenton Premium Outlets jewelry store employee trades gunfire with robbers

by Crime Videos

Ellenton, Florida – August 15, 2024 – Two masked men armed with at least one gun tried to rob a jewelry store, Manatee Sheriff’s deputies said. Shots were fired during an armed robbery attempt at a jewelry store in the Ellenton Premium Outlets on Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said no one was injured and nothing was taken in the attempted robbery. Two men fled the scene before deputies could make an arrest, according to a news release.

Two unidentified men wearing masks and blue shirts entered the jewelry store inside the Ellenton Premium Outlets, 5295 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton, at around 2:50 p.m., according to a news release. The sheriff’s office said they were armed with at least one handgun.

After entering the store, the sheriff’s office said one of the men approached an employee and shot a round toward the back of the store. The shot did not strike anyone, deputies said.

In response, the sheriff’s office said an employee pulled out a gun and shot in the direction of the alleged armed robbers but missed. No one was hit by either gunfire, according to a news release.

The sheriff’s office said the two men then fled the store and ran toward the parking lot, where they were chased by an off-duty deputy who was on the property and responded to the store shortly after the shots were fired.

The off-duty deputy secured the store and made sure no one was injured before facing the two unknown men, who the sheriff’s office said drove off in what appeared to be a silver Toyota Highlander.

Paramedics were called for someone inside the store who was having a medical episode following the incident, but the sheriff’s office reported no one was hit by gunfire during the attempted robbery. The investigation remains active, according to the sheriff’s office.

Article provided by Tampa Bay Times. The article was redacted to remove the jewelry store’s name. Click here to read the unredacted article. Watch a video of incident below.

If you have any information regarding this incident or the two suspects, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Columbia, SC Subject

Subject sought in grab and run theft from mall

by Crime Suspects

Columbia, SC – August 3, 2024 – Police are searching for the male subject below who committed a grab and run theft on August 3, 2024. The subject entered the store and began looking at merchandise.  He approached an employee and asked for assistance. 

After assisting other guests, the subject asked the employee about a ring.  After the ring was described, the subject asked to see it.  As the subject was handling and examining the ring, he asked about finance options. As the employee was explaining financing options, the subject took off running out of the store. 

Subject Description:  Male, Black, late 20’s to early 30’s, 5’08”, medium build, beard, glass, purple/blue shirt, black CK sweatpants, backpack

If you have any information regarding this subject, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Tyrelle Timmons

WANTED: Houston, TX Man wanted for felony theft at Houston jewelry store

by Crime Suspects

HOUSTON, Texas — August 6, 2024 – A suspect is wanted by law enforcement for felony theft after allegedly stealing a diamond tennis bracelet from a Houston jewelry store.

On June 21, 2024, deputies from Constable Mark Herman’s Office responded to a theft report at the Jewelry store located within the Houston Premium Outlet Mall on the 29300 block of the Northwest Freeway. According to the complainant, an unknown Black male expressed interest in a diamond tennis bracelet valued at $6,000. Upon placing the bracelet on a prop for viewing, the man allegedly stole the item and fled on foot without paying.

After a thorough investigation, which included interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and researching pawn detail history, deputies identified the man as Tyrelle Timmons, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, including 15 previous theft charges. Timmons is currently wanted for felony theft, with his bond set at $10,000 out of the 208th District Court. He is in custody at the Harris County Jail, awaiting arraignment on two other similar jewelry store thefts, according to Constable Mark Herman.

Click here to view the source for this article provided by Taylor Richards.

Petru Munteanu

Nassau County Police arrest 2 men in $275K watch theft.

by Arrests

LONG ISLAND, NY – August 6, 2024 – Police on Long Island arrested two men in connection to a watch theft at a jewelry store in Greenvale, NY. It happened on July 17 at 3:15 p.m. According to police, the two suspects, Petru Magdas, 49, and Petru Munteanu, 28, distracted the salesperson and stole a $275,325 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak custom diamond watch. Police said the watch was recovered, and no injuries were reported. Both Munteanu and Magdas were arraigned on Aug 2.

Police said Munteanu is on the loose again after failing to get his GPS monitoring device. Magdas is being held behind bars because he already has a fugitive warrant out for his arrest. Police said Magdas was previously removed from the United States in 2017 and 2018. Click here to read the source of the original article provided by Fox 5 New York.

Fugitive Petru Munteanu should be considered a continued threat for committing distraction thefts of jewelry. Jewelers and their employees should be on alert. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Fugitive Petru Munteanu, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.