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2 suspects killed in ‘gun battle’ with Oakland pawn shop owner after attempted robbery

by Armed RobberyArrestsCrime SuspectsCrime VideosUncategorized

OAKLAND, CA. — Two people were shot dead and four were injured during a robbery attempt at a pawn shop in East Oakland on Wednesday evening, according to police.

Just before 7:45 p.m., several people were shot in the 7100 block of International Boulevard at the Cash 4 Gold pawn shop, according to the police officers’ union.

According to the preliminary investigation, individuals armed with weapons entered the pawn shop and an exchange of gunfire took place between these individuals and the workers inside the establishment, the department said.

When officers arrived at the scene, they located multiple people who were struck by the gunfire. Medical personnel confirmed that one person was deceased. Five other people who were struck by gunfire, including the business owner, were taken to an area hospital, where a second person was confirmed dead, the Oakland Police Department said. The remaining three suspects were in stable condition as of 10:30 p.m., and the owner is expected to survive, according to Oakland Police Officers Association spokesperson Sam Singer. Singer said a robber allegedly pulled a gun on the store owner, who then pulled a gun on the robber and four accomplices. A “major gun battle” ensued, said Singer.

The store owner allegedly shot and killed the two people and wounded the other three. Detectives are conducting a follow-up investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the department said. The Oakland Police Department will be holding a press conference on Thursday.

Article provided by ABC News, click here to view.

milipitas

Milpitas, CA- Armed jewelry store employee thwarts hammer-wielding suspects in Milpitas

by Armed RobberyCrime SuspectsCrimes

MILPITAS, CA. — A family-owned jewelry store in Milpitas narrowly avoided a robbery on Wednesday when an armed employee scared off the would-be thieves.

The attempted robbery involved a large group of people rushing the store, armed with hammers and bags, but they were deterred by the presence of a gun.

An employee of the store was armed with a gun, and managed to scare off the people who tried to storm the store.

The incident in Milpitas mirrors a similar smash-and-grab robbery in San Jose last week, where thieves shoved an 88-year-old shop owner who later had a stroke.

Local leaders and political groups rallied in front of Fine Jewelry in Milpitas, calling on Governor Newsom to fund Prop 36, which they believe would make it easier to prosecute thieves.

Organizers say San Jose is experiencing a crime wave, and there is a lot of unreported crime throughout the Bay Area that needs to be factored in.

The family who owns the Milpitas store did not want to be interviewed but told the Milpitas mayor they were robbed about two years ago in the same way. They plan to reopen the store soon.

Article provided by KRON 4 News, click HERE to view.

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

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GRAB AND RUN- SAN ANTONIO, TX

by Crime SuspectsDaily BlogGrab and Run

SAN ANTONIO, TX– On September 06, 2025, A male subject with denim jeans entered a jewelry store at 4:57 PM and began casing the store. At the same time, A black 4 door sedan with paper tags, arrived in front of the store. A male subject exits from the vehicle wearing black shorts and peaks in the store, then opens the front door, and the male subject with denim jeans exits the building after picking up the display case and existing store.

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

san jose

San Jose, CA- Elderly California jewelry store owner assaulted by gang of masked thieves during smash-and-grab robbery: ‘Made my blood boil’

by Armed RobberyCrime SuspectsSmash and Grab

San Jose, CA– Shocking surveillance footage shows a relentless gang of masked thieves rushing into a California jewelry store and assaulting the shop’s 88-year-old owner, causing him to have a stroke during a smash-and-grab robbery.

The broad-daylight heist at the Kim Hung jewelry store in San Jose occurred around 2:30 p.m. Friday, the San Jose Police Department told KTVU.

Footage from inside the store shows the robbery being kicked off by an SUV backing into and breaking through the family-run business’s front window as multiple masked suspects dressed in black, with at least one heard demanding everyone to “get the f–k down.”

My friend’s 88 year old uncle’s San Jose Jewelry Store was robbed on Fri 9/5 at 2pm. They ran a truck through the store and then pushed him down. He was injured by broken glass and then had a stroke.

The robbers — most seen armed with axes and hammers — then start bashing in the display cases of the jewelry store and snatching gold and jewelry.

The shop’s horrified 88-year-old owner is seen standing in the back of the store as a few of the thieves head toward him, and then is shoved to the floor by one of the assailants as he frantically tries to stop them from robbing and destroying his business.

Only moments after making entry, a car outside is heard slamming on the horn, prompting the suspects to flee.

The suspects — one of whom was armed with a gun — fled in multiple vehicles, police said.

A friend of the jewelry store’s owner, Chris Moore, said the 88-year-old suffered a stroke after being assaulted during the robbery.

He also shared that the owner was cut by broken glass when he was pushed to the floor.

Moore said the store owner was treated overnight, stabilized by Sunday morning, and released from the hospital.

Damage to the store is estimated at between $50,000 and $100,000, Moore shared, but the shop has not revealed the value of the stolen jewelry.

The San Jose Police Department has launched an investigation into the brazen robbery.

“No arrests have been made,” a department spokesperson told the San Francisco Chronicle. “The robbers are unidentified and remain at large.”

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the video of the robbery made his “blood boil” and condemned the violent robbery.

“This is appalling. Watching this senior get assaulted made my blood boil,” Mahan wrote in a post on X.

“These people need to face the harshest possible consequences for their actions. I’ve been in touch with our Police Chief … and will be following the investigation closely.”

During a press conference Sunday, civic leaders, community activists and the victim’s family demanded stronger protections for small businesses, Moore posted on X.

“This attack was not just on a store — it was on the dignity of our elders, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the soul of our community. We will not stand by while violence and fear take root,” Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano is quoted as saying.

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

Article provided by the NY Post, to view click HERE.

fordham

Bronx, NY- Attempted armed robbery at jewelry store ends in Fordham section of the Bronx arrests.

by Armed RobberyArrestsCrime SuspectsCrime Videos

Bronx, NY– A bold attempted robbery at a jewelry store in one of the Bronx’s busiest shopping districts was stopped in its tracks Thursday afternoon, ending with three suspects in custody and a heavy police presence on the scene.

The incident unfolded at Greenyes Jewelry on Fordham Road, where police say three masked men tried to rob the store in broad daylight – a shocking act given that recent city data shows robberies in the area have dropped by nearly 30% over the past month.

In video obtained from a witness, crowds can be seen quickly gathering outside the store as the situation unfolded. Moments later, several NYPD officers can be seen rushing into the store. A man in handcuffs is later seen lying on the ground, surrounded by police. Jenny, a local resident who was inside the store at the time of the incident, described the chaos.

“[The men] have half their faces covered. They got inside and they were enraged. I got scared when I saw them draw a gun- I just knew they would start shooting.” she said.

Police tell News 12 that all three suspects were arrested and that guns were recovered at the scene. No injuries have been reported at this time. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what led up to the attempted robbery and whether the suspects are connected to any other crimes in the area.

Article provided by News 12, click here to view video news feed.

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GRAB AND RUN- SANDUSKY, OHIO

by Crime SuspectsDaily BlogGrab and Run

SANDUSKY, OHIO– On September 01, 2025, a jeweler was the victim of a grab and run theft totaling $23,199.97. One male entered the store and proceeded towards our gold chain case. The man stated to the employee that he had recently paid off his credit card and wanted to purchase a new chain. He asked the team member multiple questions and asked about several chains at once to have the employee check prices. After the employee displayed the jewelry, the man picked up one chain as if he was inspecting it and then grabbed all three and ran out of the store.

Suspect(s) Description: Black Male; 6ft-6’2″; Medium Build; Black hoodie with white marks; wearing white pants; white shoes

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

handcuffs

Cache County, UT- Woman suspected of stealing $5,000 in jewelry from Logan store extradited to face charges.

by ArrestsCrime Suspectsdistraction theft

Cache County, UT– A woman wanted since 2022 for allegedly stealing over $5,000 in jewelry from a Logan jewelry store was extradited Wednesday and is now in the custody of the Cache County Jail, according to Logan City Police Department Lt. Derek Dickey.

Marioara Munteanu, 43, is being held on suspicion of second-degree felony retail theft. Court documents show Munteanu is wanted in multiple jurisdictions on similar charges. According to Dickey, she was extradited from Madison, Wisconsin.

Logan District Court issued a warrant for Munteanu’s arrest on June 2, 2022. According to the affidavit for arrest warrant, Logan City Police Department received report of the theft on May 25, 2022.

The store owner reportedly told police a man and a woman entered the store, stayed for about 30 minutes, then left without attempting to buy anything.

According to the affidavit, the owner suspected the couple may have been attempting to steal jewelry, so employees tried to keep a close eye on them. Surveillance video reviewed after the couple left showed they concealed multiple items and left without paying.

The owner reported six items were stolen, totaling “well over $5,000.”

Investigators distributed footage of the incident to the Jewelers’ Security Alliance network, and a contact identified one of the suspects as Munteanu.

According to a JSA crime alert from Jan. 2022, Munteanu is believed to be a member of an international group of “distraction thieves.” At the time, she was also a suspect in multiple jewelry thefts in Tennessee, Maryland and Georgia.

Munteanu is scheduled to appear before First District Judge Brian Cannell on Wednesday, Sept. 3. She is being held without bail in the Cache County Jail.

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WINSTON- SALEM, NC- GRAB AND RUN.

by Crime SuspectsCrimesDaily BlogGrab and Run

WINSTON -SALEM, NC- On August 24, 2025, the suspect entered the store and told the employee that he was looking for a necklace because his brother just bought one. He said that he was looking for something solid, and that he had a budget of about $8,000. He looked at some different chains, then pointed to one. He said that he wanted to see how it looked on him, and he also wanted to see how it looked on him with a matching charm. The employee told him that he could only have one piece at a time, and he told her that he didn’t know how he could decide unless he could see both pieces on. She still would not let him see both pieces. He eventually looked like he was going to put it on, but he had control of the piece and fled the store. He was seen getting into a newer black SUV that was waiting for him.

Suspect(s) Description: Male, black, 6’0″, 200 lbs, black hat, peach Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts

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

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Chattanooga, TN- Man pleads guilty to Chattanooga jewelry store robbery with 57-month prison sentence deal.

by Armed RobberyArrestsCrime Suspects

Chattanooga, TN– A man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Chattanooga’s federal court to a 2021 jewelry store robbery in Hamilton Place mall.

Joshua Lishun Brewer, 29, is expected to serve a 57-month prison sentence for obstructing, delaying and affecting interstate commerce by committing a robbery at Markman’s Diamonds.

“It’s a big decision not only in your life but in the life of the case,” Magistrate Judge Mike Dumitru said from the bench.

The details of the robbery were not discussed in court, but Brewer’s plea agreement detailed the Dec. 17, 2021, incident.

Brewer went inside Markman’s Diamonds with two unknown accomplices and started to yell at those inside to get down, the plea said.

A store employee told authorities she hid underneath a desk and watched as her colleagues were zip-tied at gun point, the plea said.

The woman allegedly told Chattanooga police officers the robbers took her wallet, cell phone and an assortment of jewelry from the store.

When police recovered her phone, it was found to have Brewer’s thumbprint on it, according to the plea.

Markman’s has been the target of repeated burglaries over the decades — one in 1986, 2012 and 2016, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives.

Dumitru said he had only met Brewer twice in the worst possible circumstances a person could meet somebody.

Brewer is a young man, who still has time to turn his life around after he serves his sentence, Dumitru said. He wished Brewer luck and said to think of loved ones and the future.

“I hope that your life ends up exactly the way you want it to,” Dumitru said to Brewer.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 9.

Brewer is also facing over a dozen state-level charges including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, theft over $10,000 and false imprisonment, according to the Hamilton County Criminal Court clerk’s office.

Article provided by the Chattanooga Times, click HERE to view article.

jeweler arrest

Decatur, GA – Trinity man charged for stealing $114k from Decatur jewelry store he worked at for decades

by ArrestsCrime SuspectsDaily Blog

Decatur, GA– A former jeweler who had worked at Jimmy Smith Jewelers for three decades was charged last Tuesday with stealing more than $114,000 in jewelry and money from the store.

Joel Phillip Ghrigsby, 63, was charged with first-degree theft of property and transported to Morgan County Jail, where he was initially held in lieu of a $30,000 bond, jail records show, which was since amended to a $7,500 cash-only bond. He remained in jail Wednesday evening, according to jail records.

On Aug. 6, a Decatur business owner reported an internal theft from the business, according to the affidavit. Ghrigsby was then developed as a suspect.

On Aug. 12, Decatur police, with assistance from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, served a search and arrest warrant at a residence in the 20000 block of County Road 460 in Trinity, according to police, and Ghrigsby was placed under arrest.

According to the affidavit, Ghrigsby stole more than $114,000 in property over the past five years “and much more over the past 10 years.”

Jimmy Smith of Jimmy Smith Jewelers on Wednesday said the stolen property did not include customers’ jewelry or products. The affidavit said Ghrigsby stole jewelry, money and precious metals from the business.

Smith said Ghrigsby had worked as a jeweler at the store for more than 30 years and retired in January 2024. He last spoke with Ghrigsby a few months ago.

“His wife worked here, too,” Smith said. “Just great people; this is such a shock to me. I’d say we had a great working relationship when he decided to retire.”

Ghrigsby had dropped his store-provided benefits in favor of a Christian-based health care sharing program, according to Smith, then took a job driving a school bus for Morgan County Schools to regain benefits while still working at the store. After he retired, Smith was alerted about some of the content Ghrigsby was posting on Facebook.

“Someone told me he’d been going on cruises and trips,” Smith said. “Sounds like he was having a big time.”

According to his Facebook page, Ghrigsby also works as a bankruptcy petition specialist and is a certified paralegal and notary public. Smith said Ghrigsby served as a notary public for him and his employees.

Article provided by the Moultan Advertiser, click HERE to view article.