Gold chain

A-list jeweler whose clients include Nicki Minaj, Usher robbed at gunpoint of high value chain in NYC Diamond District

by Crime News

New York, NY- A celebrity jeweler who has worked with stars like Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj and Usher was held at gunpoint and robbed of jewelry worth a significant value in Manhattan�s Diamond District overnight Thursday, police and sources said.

The high-profile jeweler was with a client at his pop-up shop on West 47th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue, by two men who broke in around 1:30 a.m. carrying firearms and threatening to shoot, police sources said.

The robbers stole a single chain from a display case before running out and into a black sedan, police sources said. The getaway car, possibly a Mercedes, was last seen heading west, police said.

The jeweler’s jewelry been seen on music industry personnel such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mary J. Blige, Pop Smoke, and Lil Tjay.

click here to read the article to learn more.

If you have any information about the subjects involved, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Handcuffs

Suspected would-be jewelry store robbers arrested in Temecula, more after LA pursuit

by Arrests

Temecula, CA – On December 10, 2023, three men were arrested on suspicion of attempting to rob a jewelry store in Temecula, and two others were later taken into custody after leading deputies on a pursuit from Riverside County to Los Angeles County.

Around 2:40 p.m., five men attempted to rob a jewelry store, according to the Riverside County Sheriff�s Department. An employee at the store fired a shot toward the suspects, but no one was struck, the Sheriff�s Department�s media information bureau said.

Three suspects were caught before they could carry out the robbery, sheriff�s department officials said.

Two men fled in a vehicle and led authorities on a pursuit along the 215 Freeway to the 91 Freeway across Orange County and into Los Angeles County and were eventually arrested in Compton after attempting to flee on foot.

Two of the suspects were identified as Kristian Eugene Caldwell and Roosevelt Kahn Jr, both are 20 years old. The other three subjects are minors, and their identities were withheld.

Click here to view a news clip about this crime.

Westlake Burglary Crime Scene

Subjects break into Westlake Veterinarian, then go through wall into jewelry store

by Crime VideosUncategorized

Westlake, OH – Westlake police are investigating a breaking and entering involving two subjects breaking through a wall between storefronts overnight between December 4th, to 5th 2023.

Westlake Burglary

Police say two subjects were seen on camera prying open the back door of a neighboring veterinarian. The two subjects then went through the wall of the veterinarian into the jewelry store next door, officers say. An unknown amount of merchandise was stolen from the jewelers and the safe was broken into, police say. Watch the video below to see more.

If you have any information about these subjects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Miami Safe Burglars

Police arrest 2 men in connection to jewelry store safe burglary

by ArrestsCrimes

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. Ã¯Â¿Â½ Authorities didn�t take long to track down the assailants behind a high-priced heist at a Miami-Dade jewelry store.

On December 5, 2023, police arrested 37-year old Ariel Hernandez , on burglary and grand theft charges, and his alleged accomplice, Michel Avila Delanuez, has also been booked on similar charges but is being treated at Palmetto General Hospital following their sudden takedown.

Police believe the men were involved in the major heist of a jewelry store that was caught on video in Northwest Miami- Dade on Monday. The thieves carved a hole through a neighboring business and dismantled the security alarm system. “It looks like they brought a device to cut off the signals,” Adrianna Prieto, told Local 10 News. From there, the suspects ransacked the room and set their target on a safe.

The subjects used a hook and a steel cable from a stolen tow truck that was parked right out front to latch onto the large safe, and after some maneuvering, they yanked the safe right through the front door before speeding away. Employees spent much of the day repairing the damage and cleaning up the mess, but were met with a bit of good news.

The owner of the tow truck had GPS and tipped off police that the vehicle was in Hialeah Gardens near a warehouse. As officers arrived, they saw the truck backing into a garage. Four men ran, but officers were able to nab two of the individuals.

If you have any additional information, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelersecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Click here to view news clip regarding the incident.

Northwest Miami-Dade Burglars

Burglars make off with substantial amount of cash and jewelry from NW Miami-Dade business

by Crime Videos

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – December 4, 2023 – A heist captured on camera has left the owner of a jewelry store counting the cost after two, possibly three, individuals backed a flatbed tow truck into the business, making away with a safe containing a large amount of cash and jewelry.

Surveillance footage revealed the thieves inside the establishment, skillfully using a tow truck to hook a line around the safe before pulling it through the front door.

The perpetrators reportedly initiated their scheme by breaking into a neighboring nail salon around 2 a.m. on Monday. Over the next four hours, they diligently worked to breach the wall connecting the two businesses, gaining access to the jewelry store.

The store�s owner only learned of the incident at 9 a.m. when contacted by the police, as the alarm system reportedly failed to alert him. The owner, Zegarra, expressed his dismay, particularly during the holiday season, known as the high season for the business. “We have 12 employees,” he said. “They�re part of my family. They�re not blood, but I take care of them like family. We�ve been together for many years. This is, for us, the high season. that�s when we make the most profit from all the bad seasons we just passed. This just happened and that�s crazy.” While the store is insured, the owner highlighted the unique challenge during the busiest shopping season�the lack of inventory.

If you have any information about these subjects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Click here to view news clip regarding the incident.

overall

Search underway for 2 men in Robeson County jewelry store robbery

by Crimes

Robeson County, NC – Police are looking for two men involved in an armed robbery that occurred on November 30, 2023, in the afternoon at a jewelry store in Robeson County, according to Detective T. Rigsbee with the Pembroke Police Department. Rigsbee said two men walked into the store and stole jewelry.

Police have released two pictures of men believed to be involved in the robbery, along with a picture of the getaway car.

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

JSA Logo

Watch: How to Protect Your Store This Holiday Season

by Media

November 17, 2023 – Jewelry crime soared to record levels in 2022, with the number of crimes up 31 percent year-over-year and dollar losses hitting a 13-year high.

Has that trend continued into 2023? What types of crimes are most prevalent and what do jewelers need to be mindful of heading into the holiday season?

On November 14 2023, Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John Kennedy and Andrew Chipman, Vice President of Jewelers Block at Berkley Asset Protection, joined National Jeweler’s Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff and Jewelers of America’s Regina Ciarleglio to discuss these questions and more in the latest episode of My Next Question.

Watch the webinar below:

https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/12457-watch-how-to-protect-your-store-this-holiday-season

Calxixo

Jewelry store robbery suspect arrested

by ArrestsCrime VideosCrimes

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – November 28, 2023 – A suspect tied to a jewelry store robbery in Calexico back in 2022 has been arrested. 20-year-old Anthony Angel Flores was arrested on the night of November 21, after a robbery at a jewelry store in Calexico last year.

Calexico police say Flores and another suspect entered the store smashing a glass display with a hammer and pointed a handgun at a worker. 

Calexico police along with the FBI and the ATF conducted an investigation determining Flores was their suspect. “Flores is well known by our Calexico police officers and also he is well known for carrying firearms in the past and he has been involved also in past incidents where weapons were found,” said Jonathan Rangel, Calexico Police Department.

The other suspect is still on the loose.  Flores was handed over to the FBI for federal prosecution. Police say he is being charged with robbery with a firearm.  

Fort Wayne Subject

Fort Wayne PD needs help identifying person of interest in jewelry store theft

by Crime SuspectsCrimes

Fort Wayne, IN – November 21, 2023 – The Fort Wayne Police Department is asking for the public�s help identifying a person of interest in a jewelry store theft that occurred on November 13, 2023.

Image of wanted theft subject.

Police say a male subject went into the store around noon, and asked to see some items. Police said while the man was handling an expensive wristwatch, he ran out of the store without paying for the watch.

Police describe the person of interest as a heavyset Black man with a beard and mustache, who was last seen wearing dark pants, a white shirt with a dark stripe across his chest, a blue hooded coat, and a black and white Carhartt baseball-style hat.

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

watch

Man Arrested for Pawning Counterfeit high-end Watches in Naples, Fl.

by ArrestsCrime Suspects

Naples, FL – November 21, 2023 – A man has been arrested for attempting to pawn a fake high-end watch at a Southwest Florida pawn shop last week.

Police say the suspect, identified as Olgierd Wielecki, first pawned a counterfeit watch for $7,000 at a pawn shop in Naples on September 29th.

The scheme was uncovered when the pawn shop staff, upon inspection, realized the watch was fake after completing the transaction.

Wielecki returned to the pawn shop on November 16th to pawn another counterfeit watch from the same high-end brand.

However, the pawn shop promptly identified the watch as a fake, noting that the serial number on the movement mechanism was laser engraved, a departure from the brand’s traditional imprinting method.

Additionally, the watch was missing knurled thumb screws on the winder pinion, further confirming its counterfeit nature.

Upon arresting Wielecki for Defrauding a Pawnbroker, Collier County deputies reportedly discovered cocaine, Adderall, and Xanax in his pockets during the arrest.

Wielecki faces charges of defrauding a pawnbroker, grand theft, passing counterfeit goods, possession of amphetamine, possession of Xanax, and possession of cocaine.

Click here to learn about the type of watch that was pawned.