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Westchester County, NY – Sledgehammer-wielding NY crooks who jacked $1.7 million in Rolex watches, jewelry nabbed in NJ.

by Armed RobberyArrestsCrime SuspectsCrimesSmash and Grab

Westchester County, NY- Two sledgehammer-wielding thugs who helped jack $1.7 million in jewelry and watches — including 70 Rolexes — in a brazen Westchester County heist were nabbed in New Jersey on Tuesday, the feds said.

Kevin Williams, 26, Byron Wilson, 24, and two cohorts drove a stolen dark blue Jeep Grand Cherokee from Jersey to the Westchester Square shopping plaza in Hartsdale around 11 a.m. Dec. 16, according to a statement from acting US Attorney Matthew Podolsky of the Southern District of New York.

The criminals, dressed all in black and carrying hammers, stormed a jewelry store there and began smashing display cases as shocked customers and workers cowered in fear, authorities said.

The masked bandits snatched up pricey pieces that included diamonds, rings, necklaces, earrings and luxury watches — including the Rolexes worth more than $1 million all on their own, officials said.

Then, they hustled to their stolen Jeep — with their bags of illicit loot in tow — and hightailed it back to the Garden State, Podolsky said.

nvestigators tracked their cell phones afterward and found that while Wilson returned to their shared home in Irvington, NJ — a city of about 60,000 just west of Newark — Williams took a trip to the Diamond District in Midtown Manhattan.

A few hours later, the poaching pair posed with their co-conspirators for pictures in which they all held fat stacks of cash, the statement said.

Wilson also was busy researching the phrase “hartsdale news” on his phone and reading articles about the heist, including one titled, “Tarrytown Jewelers in Hartsdale victim of robbery in broad daylight,” officials said.

He Googled “tudor geneve watch,” too — apparently to try to learn more about some of the costly items the gang had stolen, the feds said.

But his and Williams’ luck ran out Tuesday when they were collared and charged with two federal counts involving conspiracy to commit robbery.

Each count brings with it a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The pair were set to be arraigned Tuesday in White Plains federal court.

“As alleged, Kevin Williams and Byron Wilson, along with their co-conspirators, carried out the violent robbery of a jewelry store in broad daylight,” Podolsky said.

“Armed with sledgehammers, the defendants smashed their way in and then plundered the store of about $1.7 million in jewelry, diamonds, and luxury watches, all while innocent customers and employees hid for their safety.

“Today’s arrests should make clear that if you commit such brazen and dangerous crimes in this District, we will find you and hold you responsible.”

To view the article provided by NY Post with additional photos, click here.

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PLAINFIELD, INDIANA- GRAB AND RUN

by CrimesDaily BlogGrab and Run

Plainfield, Indiana– On March 22, 2025, a jewelry store reported one male suspect came in the store saying he was looking for wedding rings. The employee would only show the suspect one ring at a time but when he wanted to compare two rings, she put the one on her hand and held it next to the one the suspect was holding. The suspect grabbed the employees’ hand, pulled the ring off her hand and ran out the store. Police and Mall Security were called. No injuries reported. The investigation is ongoing.

Suspect(s) Description:

Male/ Black, 5’8” approx. 220lbs, Medium to Stocky, Crew haircut wearing Gray with Black patches sweatshirt and pants

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

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – GRAB AND RUN

by Crime SuspectsCrimesDaily BlogGrab and Run

Indianapolis, Indiana – On March 20, 2025, a jewelry store reported one male suspect came in the store saying he was looking for wedding rings. The suspect kept looking at the door. The employee thought something was wrong, so she held on to the rings as she showed them. The suspect kept asking to hold two rings, but the employee held on to the rings while showing them. The suspect then came over the counter and with two hands shoved the employee back so he could reach in the case, and he grabbed three rings and ran out the door. Police and Mall Security were called.

Suspect(s) Description:

Male/Black, 5’7” 230lbs, Large build, 27 YOA, Attire, Blue Cap, Brown Sweatshirt Jacket

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

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NEWNAN, GA- GRAB AND RUN.

by Crime SuspectsCrimesDaily BlogGrab and Run

Newnan, GA– On March 21, 2025 at the Ashley Park Mall in Newnan, GA, a Jeweler was the victim of a grab and run theft. Two males entered the location and began looking at gold chains, bracelets, and charms. The male, identified below as “Suspect 1” began talking with someone on the telephone asking about which types of merchandise would be best for the “music video”. Shortly after, the male asked to see the above items and wanted to see if the charm would fit on the chain. An employee secured the charm on the chain. While still holding the items on a counter-pad, “suspect 1” grabbed the items and both males ran out of the store. Police were contacted and report filed.

These suspects are also suspected of committing another grab and run in Locust Grove, GA.

SUSPECT 1: Male, Black, 5’11”, medium build, late 20’s to early 30’s, wearing black pants, black jacket, white t-shirt, with a beard

SUSPECT 2: Male, Black, 5’10”, heavy build, early to mid-40’s, wearing camo pants, light colored jacket, wearing a hat

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

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CANOGA PARK, LOS ANGELES, CA-Thieves Target Canoga Park Jewelry Loan Store in Burglary Attempt.

by BurglaryCrimesDaily Blog

CANOGA PARK, LOS ANGELES, CA- The Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division officers responded to a burglary early Saturday morning at Sherway Jewelry Loan in the 21500 block of Sherman Way in Canoga Park. Upon arrival, officers found the store’s front window had been shattered. After clearing the location, officers determined that the suspects had fled the scene and were gone upon their arrival.

At this time, it is unclear if any items were taken from the store. If you have any information regarding this incident or information on these suspects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Article provided by NewsBreak.com

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Atlanta, GA- Tennessee jewelry stores targeted in $1.7 million heist spree: trio sentenced.

by ArrestsBurglaryCrime SuspectsCrimesDaily Blog

Atlanta, GA– Three men who orchestrated a multi-state jewelry store burglary spree, stealing approximately $1.7 million in merchandise, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

Maykel Olides Hernandez, 40, Javier Guerra-Morales, 33, and Giorge Navea, 35, pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including RICO violations, smash-and-grab burglary, theft by taking, criminal damage to property, and possession of burglary tools.

Superior Court Judge Tony Baker handed down the sentences on Feb. 27 and March 5, with Hernandez receiving 30 years (13 in prison), Navea 25 years (10 in prison), and Guerra-Morales 20 years (9 in prison). Hernandez, deemed a recidivist offender, is ineligible for parole.

The charges stemmed from a series of high-stakes burglaries occurring between December 2022 and March 2023, targeting five jewelry stores in Cherokee, Forsyth, Cobb, and Fulton counties in Georgia, as well as Knox County, Tennessee.

The men executed a coordinated scheme, cutting holes in store roofs to bypass security, disabling alarms, and stealing high-value merchandise before transporting it to Florida for resale.

The most significant theft occurred on Jan. 4, 2023, when the men infiltrated a jewelry store on Cumming Highway in Cherokee County, making off with approximately $1.3 million in stolen goods.

Surveillance footage later confirmed that the burglars entered through a rooftop breach.

A second major heist took place in Alpharetta in March 2023, netting them an additional $400,000 in stolen jewelry.

Investigators from the Canton Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Cobb County Police Department, and Alpharetta Police Department worked together to link the crimes.

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office played a crucial role by using cell tower data to track the suspects’ movements and establish connections between the burglaries.

“Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies worked together to investigate and arrest the suspects. Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office was instrumental in linking the burglaries and identifying the suspects by using cell tower data,” said Assistant District Attorney Rachel Murphy, of the Gang and Organized Crime Unit.

In addition to their prison sentences, Hernandez, Guerra-Morales, and Navea were ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution, covering damages, stolen goods, and insurance losses.

They are also permanently banned from Cherokee County and prohibited from contacting one another or visiting any of the five targeted stores.

“These defendants worked together in a coordinated effort, with a clear plan to target specific jewelry stores and steal valuable merchandise. Although four of the stores they burglarized were outside of Cherokee County, we were able to charge the defendants under Georgia’s RICO Act,” said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. “Law enforcement partners from multiple agencies played a crucial role in this case, enabling Cherokee County to combat organized retail crime within our jurisdiction and beyond.”

Article provided by 11 Alive.com. To view article, click HERE.

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Downey, California -3 Arrested in connection with armed robbery, kidnapping at Downey jewelry store.

by Armed RobberyArrestsCrime NewsCrime SuspectsCrimesDaily Blog

Downey, California– Three men have been arrested in connection with a January armed robbery and kidnapping at a Downey jewelry store.

The robbery took place on Jan. 11, at Gold Dream Fire Jewelry on the 7600 block of Firestone Boulevard.

According to the Downey Police Department, two men entered the store and asked to see some merchandise, but as the sales associate was tending to them, one of the suspects tackled and gagged the associate, brandished a firearm and forced them into a back room while the other suspect ransacked the store.

More than $100,000 in gold, jewelry and designer watches were taken from the store, investigators said.

Photos released from inside the store showed the terrifying crime unfold, including images of one of the suspects holding a gun to the head of the employee.

Downey detectives eventually focused in on three suspects from Long Beach, and with the help of the Long Beach Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, warrants were served undisclosed locations in Long Beach and Inglewood.

During the execution of those warrants, three men were taken into custody: Christian Javier Trujillo Culqui, 30; Daniel Alexander Medina Mera, 31; and Jonny Israel Marcillo Alcivar, 31.

Evidence “indicating their involvement in the crime” was also recovered, police said.

All three are currently in police custody and have been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with armed robbery and kidnapping.

Article provided by KTLA 5 News, click here to view.

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Orlando, Florida – Suspect steals $800K in jewelry from Tiffany & Co., swallows evidence during arrest.

by ArrestsCrime SuspectsCrimesDaily BlogGrab and Run

ORLANDO, Fla. — A brazen thief got away with nearly $ 800,000 worth of luxury jewelry from the Tiffany’s store at the Mall at Millenia.

Orlando Police say the suspect, Jaythan Gilder pretended to be a representative for an Orlando Magic player, and he was ushered to a private viewing area.

That’s when police say he grabbed the jewels and took off in a car outside of the mall.

Police say he made it all the way to Washington County, where state troopers pulled him over for a traffic violation. When he was caught, police say he swallowed the jewelry. You can see some of the jewels in body scans taken shortly after his arrest.

Gilder remains in the Orange County Jail. Police say they’ve since learned the suspect is accused of a similar robbery at a Tiffany’s store in Texas in 2022.

He will eventually be extradited to Colorado, where he is wanted on 48 outstanding warrants.

Article Provided by WFTV9 News. Click here to view.

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Brooklyn, NY- Suspect accused of stealing $6K ring from Brooklyn jewelry store: NYPD

by ArrestsCrime SuspectsCrimesDaily BlogGrab and Run

WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn – Police are searching for a suspect accused of stealing from a Brooklyn jewelry store on Feb. 13, according to the NYPD.

It happened at 243 Grand St. in Williamsburg around 2:15 p.m., police said. The suspect allegedly stole a ring worth $6,900, according to authorities. He then fled the store to parts unknown, police said.

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

To view video article provided by News 11, click here.

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Charlotte, NC – Three people wanted for stealing jewelry from Charlotte pawn shop

by Crime NewsCrime SuspectsCrimesDaily BlogSmash and Grab

Charlotte, NC– Three people are wanted after pictures capture them smashing display cases at a Charlotte pawn shop, according to Charlotte Crime Stoppers.

Around 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 22, three suspects wearing hoods, masks, and sunglasses entered National Pawn at 2905 Eastway Drive. Officials say they smashed glass display cases and stole jewelry from the store. The men allegedly drove a stolen vehicle which was found abandoned not far from the store.

To view the article provided by Logan Jennes of Queens City News with additional photos, click HERE.

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