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TULALIP, WA- GRAB AND RUN

Tulalip, WA- On September 29, 2025, A jewelry store at the Seattle Premium Outlets experienced a grab and run theft by a lone female. The female suspect entered the store and asked to see a variety of gold chains. She was shown both natural and lab created diamond studded chains and bracelets. She asked to try on a 22-inch lab created necklace and the employee assisted with putting it on her neck. The suspect then asked to try on a lab created bracelet which she put around her left wrist. The suspect then picked up the third item which was another lab created bracelet from the presentation pad and quickly walked out of the store without making payment. Mall security was advised. No injuries occurred in this incident. A report was filed with local police. The woman is suspected in numerous grab and run thefts since June of this year in Tukwila, Auburn, and Tacoma, Washington. Be Alert.

Suspect(s) Description: Female suspect is described as Asian or Filipino, 35 – 40 years of age, 5’5 – 5’6” tall weighting 120-150 lbs. Chambord black and white shoes, black pants and a black T-shirt under a green jar get. The suspect wore prescription glasses and carried a large pink shoulder bag or purse.

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.

warrant

St. Maarten- Brazen Daylight Robbery and Jet-Ski Escape fuel fears amidst St Maarten Crime Wave.

St. Maarten- A dramatic daylight robbery at Value Jewelers located on Front Street on Tuesday has intensified community fears over a perceived surge in crime, prompting conflicting statements from business leaders and law enforcement. The daring heist, which saw suspects escaping on a Jet Ski, occurred just hours after police addressed public safety concerns, highlighting a tense atmosphere on the island.

The robbery took place shortly after noon. According to initial reports, two individuals targeted the jewelry store before making a bold getaway to Cape Bay Beach, where they fled by sea on a Jet Ski. Police responded quickly, detaining several people in the area for questioning. While bystanders reported that the suspects were apprehended, Police Spokesman Joe Josepha stated that the force was actively investigating and would provide confirmed details later.

This latest incident has amplified anxieties within the local business community, particularly among members of the Island Merchants Association (IMA). Earlier, the IMA had issued an urgent public safety notice following what it described as a “concerning increase in criminal activity,” including a series of daily home invasions. IMA President Sunny Khatnani called on residents and business owners to move high-value items like cash and jewelry to secure off-site locations, such as safety deposit boxes.

The association also issued a specific directive for jewelers and their vendors, instructing them to cease using personal vehicles for transporting valuable goods. Instead, they were advised to use professional armored transport services to mitigate the risk of theft during transit.

In response to the IMA’s alert, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) issued a statement strongly refuting the claim of “daily home invasions.” The police emphasized that such characterizations were not supported by official crime statistics and risked spreading unnecessary fear and misinformation. KPSM reassured the public that it has been conducting strategic operations over the past weeks, resulting in the arrest of multiple suspects involved in armed robberies and other serious offenses.

The police force stressed its commitment to public safety and its ongoing partnership with the community, but requested that organizations ensure public statements are factually accurate to avoid causing undue alarm.

Despite these assurances, the brazen nature of the Value Jewelers robbery has left many residents and merchants on edge. The incident, following so closely on the heels of the public warnings and police response, underscores the significant challenge facing the island as it grapples with both the reality of crime and the community’s growing perception of insecurity. As law enforcement continues its investigation, the community waits anxiously for answers and a restoration of safety.

San Ramon

SAN RAMON, Calif- Armed Suspects charged in San Ramon jewelry heist could face harsher punishment for repeat offenses: DA

SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) — Three of the seven suspects arrested in the San Ramon jewelry heist are facing serious felony charges, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office announced.

The three charged, so far, are a 31-year-old and 19-year-old from San Francisco, along with a 27-year-old from Vallejo.

“Our communities deserve safety from conduct like the audacious daylight robbery in San Ramon,” said Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. “Thanks to the excellent investigative work by the San Ramon Police Department, these defendants will face significant punishment for the offenses they committed.”

Each of the three men charged are facing 13 counts of second-degree robbery.

Prosecutors are adding conspiracy charges, alleging that the suspects carried out a series of criminal acts including stealing cars, forcibly entering the store, smashing display cases, and even firing a weapon to escape when the front glass door locked.

“What prosecutors are using the conspiracy laws for is they want the people that are organizing this, that are in the getaway car, that are the planners to face the same sanctions as the people that are carrying it out in the stores,” explained former Santa Clara County DA Steven Clark.

“What you’re seeing now is prosecutors trying to educate the judges and saying, look, these are no longer just theft crimes.”

Under Proposition 36 just passed at the end of 2024, the suspects could also face enhanced penalties. The voter-approved measure allows for tougher sentencing for repeat offenders who commit serious or violent felonies. The value of stolen merchandise also totaled more than a million dollars.

“Prop 36 is designed for this kind of activity,” said Clark. “They’re not just impulsive kids committing theft. I think that’s the education that prosecutors are sending to the court system and also to the community. And they’re listening to community members saying, look, this has got to stop.”

ABC7 News investigated the suspects’ histories by combing through court and jail records. The 27-year-old suspect had previous cases in Solano and Alameda County. In Alameda County, court records revealed he had faced at least two second-degree robberies in the last five years, but was never convicted for them.

“What you’re seeing is the actual record of this individual that they pled to a lesser charge, and the robbery charge was dismissed,” said Clark.

The suspect was also out on probation while committing several crimes, according to those records. Clark believes there is now a shift in how seriously retail crimes are being taken.

“It is such a pervasive problem, and it’s not a good look for the state of California to have these kinds of videos all over the country showing rampant retail theft,” said Clark.

Article provided by ABC News7- Click HERE to view article.

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.

bradentonfl

BRADENTON, FL- GRAB AND RUN

Bradenton, FL– On September 28, 2025, a jewelry store was the victim of a grab and run theft.  A lone male entered the location and began looking at gold chains.  Shortly after, the male asked to see the above chain.  Once removed from the showcase, the male asked to try it on.  The male gained possession of the item and secured the chain around his neck.  Then, the male pointed his finger at the team member and stated, “this is the point when you call the police”.  Immediately after, the male walked briskly out of the store.  The police were contacted and report filed. 

Suspect(s) Description:  Male, White (or possibly Hispanic), 5’10”, average build, mid-30’s, wearing short, plaid button-down shirt, hat, beard

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.

manchester ct

MANCHESTER, CT- VIDEO: Suspects wanted in ‘smash-and-grab’ jewelry theft at Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT – Police are investigating a “high-value” jewelry theft inside the Buckland Hill Mall in Manchester. The burglary happened on September 17 around 6 p.m. at King Jewelers.

Police said three men were involved, including a lookout. “The suspects inside the store forcibly smashed several display cases and stole a large quantity of high-value jewelry, including chains, earrings, rings, and other items,” said Manchester police. Authorities are still investigating the total value of the stolen merchandise.

After the theft, police said the suspects fled the scene.

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.

To view the article and video provided by News 3, click here.

san marcos

SAN MARCOS, TX- Grab and Run turns into Armed Robbery with a Firearm for Jewelry Store Employees.

San Marcos, TX– On August 7, 2025, cameras at the Kings Jeweler in San Marcos captured an employee showing a costumer some pieces of jewelry.

“He saw the pad that was the heaviest, and he said, ‘can I see that I like that chain, show me that chain,’” the owner of Kings Jeweler, Minhaj Baig, said while describing what’s happening in the video.

Baig explained that the heavier the jewelry, the more expensive. He said usually his employees only show one item at a time, but this customer was distracting the employee.

“My employee, he showed the chain, and he was just like, oh, show me that, show this, so he could distract my sales rep,” Baig said.

Not a minute later, the man snatched the pad with the jewelry on it. “He just took it and ran off. My employee still ran behind him,” Baig said. A car was waiting for the thief outside. It’s described as a white Kia Forte (possibly 2014–2016 model) with a temporary rear tag and a blue placard on the front plate area.

The employee was hanging onto the car until, “they showed him the gun,” Baig said. The employee let go. The thief took $41,000 worth of jewelry with him.

“We have to take that loss and there is no way to recover that loss,” Baig said. The San Marcos Police Department has figured out who the person is in the video. A warrant has been issued for 34-year-old Yasmany Iglesias Miranda. The owner of the jewelry shop is confident police will find him.

“To catch a thief is very important so that other people know that this can happen to you. Don’t try to do this thing again,” Baig said.

Baig’s message for others who do this sort of thing: “Work hard and make that money rather than stealing it. You will get in trouble later on.”

If you have any information on this incident or whereabouts of Yasmany Iglesias Miranda, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

To view the article and video provided by Fox 7 News- Austin, click here.

greenville

GREENVILLE, N.C.- Suspect falls through ceiling in failed North Carolina jewelry store heist.

GREENVILLE, N.C. – A pair of suspects from Belgium and Romania are in custody after a failed heist at a jewelry store, according to the Greenville Police Department.

At around 3:59 a.m. on Thursday, officers came to Bailey’s Jewelry on 511 Red Banks Road in Greenville after responding to an alarm.

Police arrived at the scene three minutes later and heard movement in the ceiling of the jewelry store. They issued multiple commands for the suspects to leave the store and the two men were later taken into custody. A large quantity of jewelry was recovered at the scene.

Investigators say one of the suspects was taken to the hospital as he fell through the ceiling during the attempted heist before being released back into police custody.

One of the suspects was identified as Cristi-Catalin Balaban, 31, of Romania. Balaban is being charged with felony breaking and entering and felony attempted larceny.

The second suspect initially provided police with a false name and passport. With the help of the FBI, he was later identified as Nicolae Aramis Stefanuca, 50, of Romania. Stefanuca is being charged with felony breaking and entering, felony attempted larceny and felony obstructing justice.

Both of the suspects are being held in the Pitt County Detention Center.

Investigators say they are working with the FBI and the United States Department of State to determine whether or not the pair committed any additional crimes.

The investigation is still active and police say more charges are possible.

Article provided by Fox 8 News, click here to view.

money

New York, NY- Tons of cocaine, $100M cash shipped from LA to NYC via luxury flights, feds allege

New York, NY– Five people were arrested Tuesday in connection with a sprawling cross-country drug trafficking organization that funneled some 22 tons of cocaine and over $100 million in cash between Los Angeles and New York, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Prosecutors said in a news release that the organizations’ alleged ringleaders, 45-year-old David Rodriguez, aka “Gotti” and “Fat Boy,” of Dumont, New Jersey, and 39-year-old Raymond O’Connell, aka “Sal” and “White Boy,” of Manhattan, have been in custody since 2024.

The two men are accused of purchasing and shipping bulk quantities of cocaine stored at an office fronting as a jewelry store in the California Jewelry Mart in downtown L.A.

Cocaine was reportedly shipped in locked plastic cases concealed in New York City’s Diamond District using what the DOJ described as “high-value freight forwarding companies” that specialize in shipping jewelry, precious metals and fine art.

Once Rodriguez and O’Connell redistributed the drugs to co-conspirators on the East Coast, prosecutors allege, they directed the cash proceeds to L.A., where others in the organization laundered the cash.

Investigators said that more than 800 parcels of coke were shipped from L.A. to New York, an estimated 22 tons of the drug, with an estimated street value of $315 million. More than 500 parcels were shipped from New York to L.A. with an estimated street value of $105 million.

“During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than $2.8 million in cash drug proceeds and more than 725 kilograms (nearly 1,600 pounds) of cocaine, as well as high-end cars and jewelry that defendants purchased using drug proceeds,” the release noted.

Another defendant in the case, 47-year-old New York City resident Ronnell Sweat, pleaded guilty to federal firearm charges in 2024 and is currently serving a 15-year sentence in federal prison, according to the DOJ.

Five additional arrests made Tuesday in connection with the drug trafficking organization, including:

52-year-old Brooklyn resident Jamel Donald Levy
50-year-old Bronx resident Bruce Adams
33-year-old Englewood, New Jersey, resident Cindy Rachel Imbert
30-year-old downtown L.A. resident Nohely Jimenez
42-year-old downtown L.A. resident Lorna “Cookie” Martinez
All three defendants from the East Coast made their initial court appearances on Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, while both L.A. defendants are due to appear in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday.

Authorities have yet to announce exactly what charges the five defendants arrested on Tuesday are facing.

Rodriquez and O’Connell were charged by federal prosecutors with the following counts:

Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine
Four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and money laundering
“If convicted, Rodriguez and O’Connell would face mandatory sentences of life in federal prison. The cocaine distribution charges carry a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment,” the release detailed. “The money laundering-related counts are punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.”

Investigators are still trying to locate two other defendants charged in the superseding indictment: 52-year-old Daniel “Nice” Vega and 40-year-old Gregory “G” Antonio Benitez, both residents of New York City.

Article provided by Fox 59 News, click HERE to view.

malden

MALDEN, MASS- DISTRACTION THEFT

MALDEN, MASS. – Police are searching for two men involved in the theft of a Rolex at a Malden jewelry store that happened on Monday.

According to Malden police, around 4:45 p.m. on Monday, one man was asking workers questions while the other grabbed the Rolex watch out of a box and put it in his pocket.

Police say both fled on foot down Eastern Avenue toward Hillside Avenue and may have entered a car later on parked in the area.

Local business owners are being asked to check any security video they have to identify the men possibly involved.

The owner of the store says the robbery was troubling.

“It’s horrible I couldn’t sleep at night. I know its just money, thank God nobody was hurt but it’s gotta stop. We are here just working, trying to make the life, working very hard,” Brunna Peroni said.

Malden police are looking for anyone with information to reach out to them.

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.

Article provided by Boston 7 News, click here to view.

zales2

NASHVILLE, TN- GRAB AND RUN

NASHVILLE, TN– On September 09, 2025, at the Opry Mills Mall, a grab and run theft was reported by a Jewlery store. It was reported; a lone male entered the store looking at various showcases. He waited for a period of time in the store as the employee was busy with other guests. Once assisted, he was interested in seeing diamond earrings from the clearance showcase. The suspect inquired about a men’s gold and diamond necklace and asked to try it on. At that point, the suspect also asked about the matching men’s gold and diamond bracelet. The pieces were taken to the register where the suspect asked to try on the necklace again. Once around his neck, the suspect fled the store with both the gold bracelet and necklace into the mall and through a side exit door. No injuries were reported. A report was filed with Nashville Police.

Suspect(s) Description: Male, black, dark complexion, around 35 years old, tall medium build, 6’4, approx. 220lbs. Wearing a tan bucket hat, black short sleeve t-shirt, tan pants, light tennis shoes and sunglasses.

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.