WEST PALM BEACH JEWELER SHOT TO DEATH DURING ROBBERY. On Monday, 7/26/10, at about 8:30 AM, the victim, John Lauseng, was accosted by two masked men just as he arrived to open his business, “We Buy Gold Coin and Jewelry”, for the day. Detectives think that the victim was attempting to run from the robbers who then shot him in the back and arm. The police are searching for two masked men and an accomplice who drove their getaway vehicle, a dark green van. COMMENT: When confronted by an individual armed with a gun, with intentions of stealing your jewelry, it must be concluded that he will shoot if you resist in any way or if you do anything that would contribute to his/her apprehended and incarceration. Sadly, this jeweler’s decision to run was wrong, unfortunately, dead wrong.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN OKLAHOMA CITY. On 7/15/10, at about 8:30 am, an experienced jewelry salesman, selling for an east coast company, had just left his hotel when he was robbed at gun point while seated in his car. He had spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in Oklahoma City, OK, and before he could back his car out of a spot in hotel parking lot another vehicle stopped behind him and prevented him from driving away. Two masked men got out of the blocking car and approached the victim. One pointed a gun at their victims head while the other smashed the rear windows of his car and removed two line bags. The robbers also took personal items from the salesman including his watch. The victim wisely did not resist, followed the robber’s orders and was not injured.

JEWELER SHOT AFTER REFUSING GUNMAN’S ORDER TO OPEN SAFE. On 7/7/10, at about 11:30 am, two men, each armed with a gun, ordered the owner of a retail jewelery store, located on Peach St in Erie, PA, to open a display case. The owner refused and was then dragged into the back of the store and ordered to open his safe. For what ever reason, the jeweler again refused to comply with the robber’s demands and one of the men shot him in the chest. The robbers then ran from the store with the wounded owner chasing after them. The jeweler quickly stopped chasing the robbers and wisely sought help in a nearby shop where the police were called and medical attention was obtained. Latest reports indicate the owner is being treated at the nearby Hamot Medical Center. Fortunately, a witness provided the police with the plate number of the getaway car, which led to the arrest of two suspects. Initial reports indicate the suspects are a father and his son. COMMENT: Your life is of greater value than any amount of jewelry. To resist and refuse the demands of two armed robbers is incomprehensible. We will most likely never learn what motivated this poor man to resist, but he was wrong, almost DEAD WRONG. (Bob Frank, JSA)

GOLD SWITCH SUSPECT ARRESTED. During the week of 6/14/10 a photo of the suspect identified as, James F. Hill, was displayed with background information on the JSA homepage. Hill was wanted by several jurisdictions after being identified in connection with gold switch scams he perpetrated against retail jewelers and pawn shops. Hill’s photo is currently displayed on the JSA “Most Wanted” file, which can also be accessed from the JSA web site. Yesterday, on 7/6/10, Hill was taken into custody with the assistance of the US Marshalls Passaic/Morris Fugitive Task Force and is currently being detained at the Passaic County Jail. Any law enforcement agency seeking information regarding Hill should contact Det. Rob Anderson, Clifton, NJ, PD, Detective Div. #973-470-5908. MORE GOOD WORK BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE JSA 2009 ANNUAL CRIME REPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE BY GOING TO THE JSA HOME PAGE AND CLICKING ON “CRIME STATISTICS”, WHICH CAN BE FOUND NEAR THE TOP CENTER AREA OF THE PAGE. THIS REPORT IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND THOROUGH PUBLICATION REGARDING JEWELRY INDUSTRY CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES. THE INFORMATION COMPILED IN THIS REPORT WILL PROVIDE THE READER WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AGAINST THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY AND AN ACCURATE FOUNDATION FOR ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM.

ROBBERS THREATEN TWO TRAVELING SALESMEN WITH HYPODERMIC SYRINGE. On July1, 2010, at about 7 pm, two watch salesman, following a day of making business calls in the South San Francisco area of CA, stopped at a service station for gas. While both men stood outside of their car pumping gas and discussing business matters, a silver Caravan with 4/H/M pulled up, two men got out and came towards the salesmen. One of the suspects threatened them with a hypodermic syringe while the other smashed the rear window of the victim’s car and removed to laptop bags in the mistaken belief that they contained high-end watches. Two laptop computers were stolen but these victims, employed by an internationally known manufacturer of high-end watches, no longer carry lines with them so no watches were lost. Before driving from the scene the robbers also slashed a rear tire on the victim’s rental car to prevent the victims from following their attackers. It is not clear what, if anything was in the syringe used to intimidate them but the salesmen were wise not to resist and risk possible serious injury. Anyone being threatened by someone with a syringe must assume that contains a dangerous substance and even if it is empty and sterile, serious injury is still possible from the needle alone.

THIEF WEARING HOSPITAL SCRUBS RUNS WITH TWO HIGH-END WATCHES. A man, dressed in green hospital scrubs posed as a customer interested in purchasing a very expensive watch. The purpose of wearing scrubs was undoubtedly designed to trick a sales associate into believing the thief was a trust worthy member of the medical profession and therefore normal security concerns could be relaxed. This M.O. has been used successfully in the past and it apparently worked again this time at a retail jewelry store located on Dowlen Road, Beaumont, TX, at about 3:30 pm, on Monday, 6/21/10. As soon as the thief was allowed access to two very high-end watches, he grabbed them, ran out the door, and escaped in a white four door vehicle. TO REDUCE LOSSES FROM GRAB AND RUN THEFTS – RULE NUMBER #1, ONLY SHOW ONE ITEM AT A TIME.

GRAB AND RUN THEFTS SOAR. At least once every day a retail jeweler, somewhere in the USA, is victimized by a thief who initially poses as a customer before running off with jewelry he/she was allowed to hold during a presentation. So far in 2010, approximately 180 Grab and Run type crimes have been reported to the JSA. Such crimes have occurred in 35 states with TX, CA and FL being the most active. The majority of the losses have been between $5K and $20K but others have been as high as $200K. Most often the thief ran out after being, unwisely, allowed to hold and examine more than one item at a time. This category of crime is difficult to prevent but there are effective preventive steps outlined in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 36, 37, designed to reduce losses associated with these types of events. Loss prevention training for sales associates that will make them aware of the “Red Flags” to be alert for is vital. – Did the customer request to see the most expensive diamond in the store? Is the customer talking on a cell phone while requesting to see jewelry? Does the customer fit your regular customer profile? Is the customer wearing a baseball style cap that partially conceals his/her facial features, which may include tattoos? Does the customer seem to be overly interested in having a number of items shown at the same time, and annoyed when informed only one item can be displayed? Does the customer appear nervous and perhaps constantly looking around and appearing to be possibly measuring the distance to the door? Does the customer decline to sit down when offered a comfortable chair during your presentation? These are all “Red Flags” to consider. (There are others) Jewelers should also have a well rehearsed “Internal Alert” plan that can be activated by any staff member when “Red Flags” are observed.

ATTACKS ON TRAVELING SALESPERSONS ARE DECLINING - WHY? Historically, the statistical records maintained at the JSA, pertaining to off-premises attacks on jewelers traveling with jewelry, were basically consistent at each yearly half way mark. Each year, by the end of June the JSA received reports of approximately 100 attacks, with the resulting losses reaching about $20 million. However, last year, 2009, that changed drastically for the better. On 6/22/09 reports regarding attacks on traveling salespeople declined to 58, and dollar losses were cut almost in half to about $11 million. The dollar losses reported so far in 2010, as of 6/22, are down to $6 million with the number of attacks reduced to 40. Based on these facts it appears logical that crime against traveling salespersons will decline even further in the future. This certainly appears to be all good news. However, when seeking to determine why this decline is occurring the good news may not be as good as thought. Recent comments from leading industry experts indicate that, although they believe law enforcement is doing an excellent job regarding this category of crime, the more likely reason for fewer attacks on traveling salespersons is the fact that there are many fewer of them on the road. Apparently, many “salespeople” on the road today are not carrying product and are no longer directly involved in sales. Some industry leaders predicted that the day of traveling jewelry salespersons may be coming to an end and the occupational specialty, traveling jewelry salesperson, will no longer be available. Obviously, this is not good news for a lot of folks.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN WICHITA, KS. Last night, 6/17/10, at about 9:15 pm, as the victim was leaving a restaurant and returning to his car, parked nearby, he was robbed at knife point. The salesman, after seeing two men jump out of vehicle and come towards him, started running back to the restaurant with his line, but unfortunately he tripped and fell. One of the men threatened him with a knife while the other robber grabbed the line bag before running back to there vehicle and escaping. Before they fled, the robbers punctured one of the salesman’s tires with a knife to prevent him from following them. COMMENT: The fact that this loss occurred in Wichita, or anywhere else in Kansas, is unusual and illustrates long time JSA advice that jewelers must be alert no matter if you are working in a major city such as LA, or a city not known for extensive jewelry crime, like Wichita, KS. It is obvious that the robbers had followed their victim, most likely from his last call, to the restaurant and then waited for him to come back to his car.

FAKE GOLD MADE WITH STAINLESS STEEL-NOT DETECTED WITH ACID OR A MAGNET. The JSA continues to receive reports from jewelers and pawn shop owners who have been ripped off by individuals selling fake gold that is not detected using normal acid and magnet tests. The latest reports from victims indicate that the bogus gold is heavily plated over a form of stainless steel that will not react to acid or a magnet, and is only detected when a torch is used to try and melt the item. The steel will not melt. Jewelry in this stainless steel form is showing up as chains, earrings, rings and pendants. One victim stated, “I tested the ring with the GXL 24 Pro, plus the normal acid procedure, cut into the edge an easy cm, it tested gold. When I made another cut, at least twice as deep is when it tested not gold.”

RE: RESPONSE TO DEPT OF JUSTICE REPORT ON JAIL POPULATIONS. Thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding the Dept of Justice report showing a decline in local jail populations. Your comments seem to be well thought out and based on a more than average knowledge of the subject. I find it most interesting that you believe it unlikely that a lower jail population could be the result of a lower crime rate. I will give your hypothesis some further thought. I hope your knowledge is the result of studies you conducted outside the walls and not during an internal experience at government expense. (Just kidding) I have always found this an interesting subject and a very accurate reflection of many problems impacting our society. The BJS report contains many other interesting, revealing and disturbing facts that, in my opinion, correlate closely with what we see on the evening news every day. Having made hundreds of visits to jails and prison facilities in an official capacity, I can assure you that being incarcerated is not pleasant and I cannot understand why it is not a greater deterrent to crime and especially recidivism? The entire report can be found on the Dept of Justice web site. (Comments from other readers with a viewpoint are welcome and encouraged.)

RE: DEPT OF JUSTICE REPORTS LOCAL JAIL POPULATIONS DECLINED IN 2009 The decreasing jail population can be contributed to a wide variety of factors, such as increased likelihood of being released on parole, or perhaps the tail end of a period of increased incarceration as inmates are being released. Also, the age of prisoners is increasing and the decline could also be affected by inmate death. Yet another aspect to consider is the judicial, in that some laws may have been changed or the consequences lessened. There have been statistics however, correlating an increase of funding for welfare programs and a decrease in prison populations, whether that is the case or not I do not know. To wrap things up, I do not believe that the decline can be attributed to simply one cause, and I have touched on only a few here, but a correlation between the prison population and the crime rate seems the least likely.

VITAL STATISTICS FROM JBT. According to a recent report from the Jewelers Board of Trade, there were 30,152 manufacturing, wholesale and retail jewelry businesses in the USA, in May, 2009. In May, 2010, the total number of jewelry business decreased to 29,609. That means in the span of only one year 543 jewelry business, 1.8% of the industry closed their doors and ceased operations for various reasons. Year to date, 2010, the JBT reports that there have been 32 bankruptcies compared to 52 for the same time period in 2009. That almost sounds like good news?

DEPT OF JUSTICE REPORTS LOCAL JAIL POPULATIONS DECLINED IN 2009. According to a recent report from the, Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Dept of Justice, during the 12 month period ending June 30, 2009, there were 767,620 inmates (male and female) held in custody of county and city jail authorities, nationwide. (This does not include inmates in the federal system.) The BJS also noted that the nationwide local jail population actually decreased by 2.3 percent from the previous 12 month period. This is the first decline in the US jail population since population surveys were implemented in 1982. As of 12/31/08, more than 1.6 million inmates were incarcerated in both state and federal correctional facilities combined. That figures to be about one in every 198 US residents. The BJS also reported that in 2001 it cost approximately $62.00 a day in operating expenses or about $22,650 a year for each inmate. They did not provide what it costs today for each inmate, but I would not be surprised if was double the 2001 expenditures. QUESTION: Does the fact that the jail population has decreased mean that crime is down and fewer criminals are being arrested or could it indicate it is the result of the courts dismissing more case and releasing more criminals? Please share your thoughts.

MIAMI JEWELER CHARGED WITH RUNNING A PONZI SCHEME. According to an article in the Mimi Herald on 6/5/10, the Securities and Exchange Commission has brought charges against Miami jeweler, Luis Felipe Perez, the owner of Luck Star Diamonds and Luis Felipe Jewelry Designs Corp, alleging that he swindled 35 investors out of at least $40 million, while running a Ponzi scheme from 6/06 to 6/09. At least one of his victims, a friend and retail jeweler from Hialeah was forced out of business after Perez ripped him off for $1.5 million. The SEC complaint alleges that Perez offered his victims 18 to 36 percent interest. He told them that he was investing there money with pawn shops in New York where he was obtaining return of 60 to 120 percent annually. A WISE MAN ONCE SAID, “IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE…”

SUSPECT ON JSA WEB SITE IDENTIFIED AND STILL ACTIVE. The individual in the photograph located on the upper left of the JSA web site homepage has been identified as, James Hill, FBI #486694W8. Law enforcement has advised the JSA that Hill has a long arrest record including 36 arrests in New Jersey and he has used more than 20 aliases. Hill is a suspect in connection with crimes against retail jewelers and pawn shops in Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Most recently, on 5/20/10, Hill was identified in connection with a gold switch at a retail jewelry store in Houston, TX. On 529/10, he was identified in connection with another gold switch at a pawn shop in Vandalia, OH. Hill is apparently aware that the police are trying to hunt him down so he is moving fast and not staying in one location for very long. During the Vandalia loss Hill still had his distinctive beard and he wore a baseball cap. If you have any information regarding this suspect please contact your local police and provide them with the information under Hill’s picture or call Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067. Hill should be considered a dangerous individual and possibly armed. No attempt should be made to apprehend this suspect other than by law enforcement personnel.

LARGE AMOUNT OF GOLD TAKEN DURING ROBBERY AT A MANUFACTURING FIRM IN LONG ISLAND CITY, NY. On 5/18/10, at about 5:30 PM, an armed robber accosted the owner at gun point while in a men’s room located outside the protected area of the business. The owner was then forced to take the robber into the protected area where he and another employee were tied up with zip ties. The robber emptied the vault and escaped with two large bags filled with a large and very valuable quantity of gold. The robber was described as wearing sunglasses and make-up to possibly change his complexion. If you have any information regarding this loss you are asked to contact the NYPD, Organized Theft Squad, at #718-533-2060. If anyone has approached you and offered to sell large quantities of gold, the police would like to hear from you. If you prefer, you will not be required to identify yourself.

YOUNG CHILD USED BY DISTRACTION TEAM. One suspect was described as a W/F/25 yrs, 5’5”, dark hair. Her accomplice was a H/F/50 yrs. With these two women was a female child, about seven years old, dressed in pink/yellow and wearing black Nike shoes. She was called “Cassie” by the older women. They visited the store on two occasions posing as customers. On the second visit Cassie appeared to be acting up and one suspect started chasing her around the store causing a distraction. A sales associate, who’s attention was diverted to the child and the pursuing female suspect, did not see the other female reach into a case and steal jewelry. The suspects left without making a purchase and the loss was not discovered until case counts were conducted later in the day. Using a child in this manner to distract sales staff is not unusual and has proven to be very successful, especially with inexperienced or untrained staff. This is an old trick often, but not always, employed by Gypsy criminal groups. Retailers should be able to recognize the signs related to this distraction method when the suspects walk in the door. An unruly child should be considered a great big “Red Flag” and a retailer’s internal alert system should be activated immediately. (See JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, page 15, Para 9, 10) All jewelry businesses should also have a camera positioned to take an eye level photo of everyone who enters their premises. This loss occurred in Lebanon, PA on 5/30/10, but it could happen anywhere, to anyone if you are not alert.

COUNTERFEIT CHECKS. The JSA has recently received a report of criminals writing fraudulent (Counterfeit) checks on bank accounts of an unsuspecting jewelry manufacturing firm. Fortunately, alert bank employees discovered the fraud before the checks were cashed. In one incident the check number was out of sequence and the bank caught it and immediately notified the intended victim. In another incident the signature cards had been recently changed and the fraudulent check signatures did not match the new signatures. SUGGESTIONS: Have the phrase “FOR DEPOSIT ONLY” printed on the back of your checks. Bank officials seem to be much better at identifying fraudulent transactions, than in the past, but jewelers should at least carefully review their monthly statements, separately from the usual bank reconciliation. If you have internet banking, and it is not too onerous a task, review daily cleared checks and if you have a security officer, they should review this with you. As we all are aware, with today’s technology, it is not very difficult to print a very good quality fraudulent replication of your check. Jewelers should not rely completely on others, including your bank, in regard to any crime prevention or security matter. You, the owner of a jewelry business, are the most important element of your crime prevention efforts, no matter how modern and elaborate they may be. For additional information regarding fraudulent checks, please review the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 42 to 52.

FBI REPORTS CRIME DOWN IN 2009. On 5/24/10, the FBI released their annual report on crime, which indicated a significant drop in crime rates during 2009 compared to 2008. This is the third year in a row that the FBI has reported a decline in crime rates. Contrary to popular wisdom, often based on reports from unqualified sources, the FBI’s conclusions are consistent with the findings of the JSA regarding our industry. They are also consistent with all other reports from credible law enforcement officials and studies conducted by other government agencies. The Federal Reserve Bank conducted a ten year study regarding the effect the economy has on crime and concluded there was none. The FBI reported that violent crime is down 5.5% and property crime declined by 4.9%. Robbery was down 8.1% and murder declined by 7.2%. A recent tabulation by the JSA of jewelry industry crime, comparing crime incidents so far this year with the same period in 2009, shows a nearly 17% decline in the number of criminal events. It is not often that I am able to report good news – Hopefully the trend will continue. Bob Frank, JSA. (An article containing more information from the FBI report can be found in today’s NY Times)

JEWELERS MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. ALERTING JEWELERS OF THREAT TO BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM. Is your alarm system working properly? You need to make certain that it is. Alarm systems using either one-way or two way radio transmission in the US may be affected by recent changes in regard to the AlarmNet-M radio network, and you may no longer have line security. 95% of alarm companies in the US will be affected. Line security ensures that the communication channel used to transmit alarm signals to the alarm company is functioning properly and detects attempts to attack an alarm system. Simply put, without line-security you really have no security. Jewelers are urged to call their alarm company and determine if they are affected by this recent change and arrange for installation of an equivalent level of protection. Currently, the only UL-listed alternative is an internet-based solution, which must be installed by the alarm company. If you are insured by JM you most likely have already been advised regarding the proper steps in regard to this important matter.

ARMED ROBBER SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE IN TEXAS. On May 18, 2010, at about 5:30 p.m., at a retail jewelry store located on Main St, Rio Grande City, TX, the police shot and killed a man wearing gloves, a bandana over his face and armed with a 9 millimeter handgun. The gunman had just committed a robbery at the store and attempted to kidnap a 64-year-old woman and use her as a shield to escape responding police units. It is not clear if the robber fired at the officers first.(Associated Press report)

VICIOUS GANG HIT IN OKEECHOBEE, FL AND CHESTERFIELD, VA. A gang of five Hispanic men are suspected of brutally pistol whipping female sales associates during robberies at retail locations in FL on 2/17/10, and in VA on 5/13/10. The JSA has posted sketches of three of the suspects on the JSA web site. Initially, they have posed as customers, obviously to case their targets before pulling guns, assaulting associates and fleeing with jewelry and cash. One victim described the suspects as being either Salvadorian or from Honduras. On one occasion three of the men cased the store the day prior to the robbery. No telling where they might strike next. If you believe these men have visited your store, call the police immediately and show them this message. If you have information regarding this gang please call, Det. Bettye Taylor of the Okeechobee, FL, PD at #863-763-5521 or Det. April Motto of the Chesterfield, VA, PD at #804-318-8471.

WHOLESALER ARRESTED FOR INSURANCE FRAUD. On 1/7/10, a jewelry salesperson, working for a Los Angeles, CA wholesaler, was attacked by six armed robbers in Westminster, CA. When the owner provided the police with a list of the jewelry stolen from his salesman, he unwisely included a 4.21 ct diamond valued at $99K, which in reality was not stolen during this robbery. On 3/25/10, after an intensive investigation by the police and the FBI, the owner was arrested and charged with insurance fraud. Subsequent to the false report filed by the owner, the police learned that the owner had taken the diamond, alleged to have been stolen, to Israel and had it appraised by a cooperating merchant. Unfortunately, this type of conduct does occur in the jewelry industry and equally unfortunate or fortunate depending how you view such conduct, those who take the chance and rationalize that “the insurance companies have plenty of money and I will never get caught” are most often detected, arrested, convicted and ruined.

The Lower Pottsgrove, PA, Township Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at Douglass Diamond Jewelers, located in the North End Shopping Center, 1300 N. Charlotte Street (Route 663). The robbery occurred at 14:48 hours. Two white male subjects entered the store; one with a semi automatic handgun. The other subject did not display a weapon. The first subject was wearing a black knit hat, black bandanna, white sweatshirt, grey t-shirt underneath, faded jeans and white sneakers. This subject was holding the weapon in his right hand ‘gangster style’. It appears that this subject may have a tattoo on the top of his right hand. The second suspect was wearing a black baseball style hat, black bandanna, black sweatshirt, with white t-shirt, faded jeans with black work style boots. Stolen in the robbery was a Gold Diamond Tennis Bracelet, miscellaneous jewelry valued at $15,000. An additional $1,000 in cash was taken from the register. The subjects were seen fleeing in a black or dark grey/silver Cadillac type vehicle with a possible registration of HJF-9384. Any Departments with similar incidents or information please contact Detective Joseph Campbell at 610-326-1508 or 610-323-2510.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ROBBED IN CINCINNATI, OHIO. On 5/5/10, while loading his line into his car, a minivan pulled up and two Hispanic men armed with knives, jumped out of the van and took the salesman’s line bags. Wisely, the victim did not resist and was not injured. This is the first reported attack on a traveling jewelry salesperson in Cincinnati, OH, since September, 2008. Jewelry salespersons contemplating doing business in the Cincinnati area are advised to utilize extra caution in the event the group responsible for this attack decides to stay in the area for a while. The attack occurred in Cincinnati as the victim was departing a retail customer, but it is not know if he was followed from another city prior to this attack.

IMPORTANT CRIME PREVENTION REMINDER. If you are in the jewelry industry, it is not wise to position your safe against an unprotected perimeter wall. In several recent burglaries at retail jewelry stores, burglars have been able to enter an adjacent, unprotected business undetected, cut a hole in the common wall directly behind the jewelry safe and pull it through the hole, with out ever entering the jewelry store. At least one of those safes, weighing in excess of 2,000 lbs, was removed to an unknown location by the burglars using a truck. There have been other reports where the burglars, after cutting a hole in a common wall directly behind a jeweler’s safe, burned or cut a hole into the back of the safe, also never entering the jewelry store. Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, should never position a safe against a common perimeter wall. If you have a vault, consider placing your safe inside the vault for even greater protection. If a safe at your business is currently positioned against a common unprotected perimeter wall, move it today and possibly prevent a bad headache tomorrow.

SECURITY GUARDS CHARGED WITH BURLARY. On 5/5/10, the police from Montgomery County, MD, arrested two security guards who worked at the Westfield Wheaton Mall, for stealing more than $50,000 in cash and jewelry from a kiosk. The two guards and a third accomplice were charged with breaking into the, Gold Rush Kiosk, on three occasions, 1/17/10, 3/12/10, and 4/30/10. The police obtained search warrants for the homes of the suspects and recovered cash, jewelry, a gun, and nearly a pound of marijuana.

THIEF WEARING A REFEREE OR FOOTLOCKER STYLE STRIPPED SHIRT GRABING AND RUNNING WITH JEWELRY. There have been at least seven “Grab and Run” incidents at retail jewelers between 12/2/09 and 4/17/10, and it appears that the same individual is responsible. He is described as a M/B/20-25 years, from 5’8” to 6’, thin, a protruding front tooth, very short hair and always wearing what has been described as a Footlocker or Referee style shirt with vertical black and white strips and a black patch pocket on the left chest. When not wearing a long sleeve under shirt, one victim observed the name “Mary” tattooed on his right forearm. The suspect always asks to see diamond rings and usually, when allowed to compare two diamonds, he grabs them runs out if the store to a waiting vehicle operated by an accomplice. On 12/2/09, the suspect hit on three different occasions in Wilmington, DE, Howard County, MD, and Frederick, MD. On 1/31/10 and again on 2/2/10 he stole jewelry in Buford, GA. On 2/9/10 he struck in Augusta, GA. His last attack, that the JSA is aware of, occurred in Fayetteville, AR on 4/17/10, where he escaped with two rings valued at over $30,000. In the event that a person fitting this suspect’s description appears at your store you must have a “Plan” previously discussed with all staff members. Do not wait for something like this to occur before considering how you will handle it. Every retail jeweler should establish and “Internal Alert Plan.” Information regarding such a plan can be found in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, page 15. If you have information regarding this suspect please contact Cpl. C. Reider of the Gwinnett Co, PD at, #770-513-5336 or cell#678-300-4267. (Case# 10-010105)

Your jewlers should be told that it is a generally accepted fact, by police and correction people that a person with tear drop tattoos near their eyes, most likely got them while in a prison for more than a traffic ticket. Tear drop tattoos is a prison thing and if the “customer”, asking to see the biggest diamond in the store, or the most expensive watch has tear drop tats on his face, BE CAREFUL.

DIAMOND SWITCH – KELLER, TX. On 4/20/10 a thief, posing as a customer, asked to see 1.5-2.0 carat diamonds and spent about two hours looking at semi-mountings and diamonds, obviously waiting for the opportunity to switch a diamond with a CZ. When the opportunity presented itself the suspect put a loose diamond in his mouth, set a CZ on the desk and took two semi-mountings. The suspect then said that he had to make a call and quickly left the store. The owner noticed the switch immediately and went after him. The suspect got into a car, an older white Nissan with tinted windows, and tried to run the jeweler over as he escaped. The thief used the name, Raul Ramirez, and initially stated that he wanted to replace his wife’s diamond, which he used to buy his daughter a car for college. He also indicated that he just moved from San Francisco but was originally from Durango, Mexico. Suspect described as, M/H/60yrs, 180 lbs, glasses, salt/pepper hair.

TUCSON, AZ – BURGLARS FAIL TO DEFEAT A TRTL30X6 SAFE. On 4/4/10, a retail jeweler’s central station alarm company received a signal indicating that someone was inside the premises. Police responded and found no sign of forced entry and left. 20 minutes later another signal was received and the police responded again and reported that everything appeared to be in order. Unfortunately, the police did not check the roof because that is where the burglars got in and out. The next morning an employee discovered a mess left by the burglars who attacked a vault door and a TRTL30X6 safe but were unable to defeat either one or no loss of merchandise was involved. COMMENT: This attack supports two long time recommendations by the JSA. Jewelers must respond to their place of business whenever a signal is received by the alarm company, regardless of probable cause provided. The jeweler should allow the police to make an internal search, including the roof. If the alarm company determines that the cause was “Line Trouble” the location should not be left unattended until the line problem has been corrected. The JSA has strongly recommended that jewelers update their safes to a TRTL30X6 or TRTL15X6 safe. These burglars are not the first to fail at an attempt to enter a TRTL30X6.

INDIANAPOLIS RETAIL JEWELER SLAIN DURING ROBBERY. On 4/9/10, the owner of Pedigo Jewelry was found shot to death in his store, located in the fountain Square area. On 4/10/10, the police arrested a suspect who was found in possession of jewelry stolen from Pedigo and the gun used to kill the jeweler. The suspect was also identified by the owner of a local adult book store, who was robbed and beaten during a robbery on 4/3/10.

RETAIL JEWELER SHOT IN LAS VEGAS DURING ROBBERY. On 4/2/10, three armed black men shot one employee in the stomach and ordered the remaining employees to open the display cases. The robbers then took jewelry and fled. Thankfully, the wounded employee is recovering. Video surveillance cameras showed the getaway vehicle. Several days prior to the robbery the owner was suspicious of two men who were in the store and requested an appraisal on a watch. The address provided by those men was traced to an empty lot. There is evidence that the men asking for an appraisal were casing the store in connection with this robbery. A male with a criminal history has been identified. COMMENT: Very seldom, if ever, will a jewelry store be robbed, prior to some time devoted to “casing” by the criminals. It may be an hour before the actual crime; it could be the day before or a month before. It is during the casing phase of the criminal’s plan that they are most vulnerable to be being spotted by their intended victim. If you think you are being “cased” stay alert, activate your internal alert system to alert the rest of the staff. Gather as much information regarding the suspect as possible without endangering yourself or the staff. To learn more regarding this important security matter review related material contained in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security.

JEWELRY SALES PERSON STABBED IN DALLAS PARKING GARAGE. Yesterday, Thursday, 4/8/10, at about 12:15 PM, four Hispanic men, dressed in all black clothing, pulled their victim from his car parked on the fourth floor of the parking garage, and fled with his line. The suspects were armed with knives and stabbed the victim twice in the leg before escaping in a red SUV. Anyone with information regarding this attack is asked to contact Detective David Clark of the Dallas PD, at #214-671-3602.

SAN ANGELO, TX. RETAILER KILLS ARMED ROBBER IN SHOOTOUT. On 3/31/10, at about 1 pm, Juan Luis Martinez, a M/H/20, armed with a handgun walked into a retail jewelry store located on Sherwood Way, announced a robbery and then exchanged shots with an employee. When the smoked cleared the robber was dead on the floor. The employee, who was understandably shaken, had shot and killed the robber with his legally carried gun. No one else was injured. The employee and the owner were the only people in the store at the time of the incident. A sign on the outside of the store reads, “WE BUY GOLD FOR CASH.” Similar signs have become very popular and can be found displayed by many retailers throughout the country. The words are designed to draw in customers with gold they wish to sell; however, those same words also may draw in criminals looking for cash to steal.

SYRACUSE, NY. - FEMALE THIEF SWITCHES DIAMOND EARRINGS WITH CZ’s USING A YOUNG MALE CHILD TO DISTRACT SALES ASSOCIATES. On 3/26/10, a female thief, posing as a customer and accompanied by a young boy, who she called “Drew”, switched a pair of diamond earrings valued at $3,200, with similar CZ earrings. A subsequent police investigation found that the suspect had also committed a similar switch at a store in Mattydale, NY, in January. Syracuse police have arrested the suspect identified as, Carrie Cozzens, F/35, dark complexion, thin, and charged her with grand larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. If you think you have been a victim of this suspect, please contact Syracuse PD, Sgt Tom Connellan, #315-442-5222.

CORAL GABLES, FL. On 3/27/10, at a high-end retail jewelry store located on San Lorenzo Ave, three men, one in a wheel chair, were buzzed in. As soon as they were in the store the fellow in the wheel chair got up and disabled the security guard by spraying the security guard with mace. The suspects then smashed a display case and fled with more than 20 Rolex watches. The wheel chair, used as a ploy to gain entry to the store, was left behind by the thieves. No one was seriously injured and no customers were in the store at the time of the robbery. Witnesses told police that the thieves fled in a white SUV, possible a Hyundai, operated by a fourth suspect. Security at this store has been taken very seriously since 2003 when a robber shot and killed a security guard during a robbery by two men known as the “Rolex” robbers. Both men were arrested, convicted, and are serving life sentences in connection with the killing of the security guard. COMMENT: It is very difficult, if not impossible, to prevent this type of occurrence. Security guards are a deterrent, a camera taking a photo, at eye level, of everyone entering your place of business is a deterrent and of great investigative value to the police. Be on constant alert to being cased. There is very little doubt that these criminals or another member of there gang, visited and cased the store before the robbery took place. Please refer to the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security for more information and recommendations regarding ways to prevent and deal with armed robbery. The most important recommendation regarding armed robbery is to never resist during a confrontation with an armed jewelry criminal.

ARMED ROBBERY – NORTHSTAR MALL, SAN ANTONIO, TX. On March 23, 2010, at about 10:15 AM, two suspects armed with guns, ordered the sales staff at a retail jewelry store on San Pedro Ave, to the floor. One sales associate was forced to remove watches and diamond jewelry from show cases and place them in blue bags supplied by the robbers. The robbers did not take cash and left out of the front door. Initial reports indicate that multiple surveillance cameras captured pictures of the robbers from angles that failed to capture any identifiable facial features. The suspects were described as, Black males, 5’8”, caps, masks, gloves, guns. Fortunately, no one was injured. COMMENT: It is recommended that all jewelry businesses position a camera that will take a full face photo, at eye level, of everyone who enters their place of business. With the technology available today, it is possible to position a surveillance camera at your front door that will be impossible to detect.

CORPULENT ROBBER HITS RETAILER IN PARSIPPANY, NJ, DURING RAIN STORM. It happened on Monday, 3/22/10. He was a white male, about 35 years of age, 6’2”, and, according to his victim, weighed about 350 lbs. The hood on his head and partially covering his face was soaked from a heavy rain that was falling outside. He looked as though he had not shaved in a couple of days. He also looked and sounded desperate as he displayed a handgun and ordered the owner of the jewelry store, located in a strip mall on Rt. 46 in Parsippany, NJ, to fill his backpack with jewelry. It occurred just before noon and ended soon afterward when the portly robber fled in a brown SUV with a sack full of jewelry. The police obtained surveillance films from nearby businesses that showed the getaway vehicle but, unfortunately, not the license plate or the bad guys face. Wisely, the jeweler followed the robber’s orders and was unharmed. There was no doubt in the mind of the victim that the suspect was desperate and would have certainly shot him had he failed to comply with his directions. COMMENT: Never resist when confronted with an armed criminal. This victim acted properly and only lost some jewelry. In the recent past a sales associate at a retail jeweler in NYC resisted an armed robber and lost his life. Anyone with information regarding this case or the over-weight robber, please call Det. Clark at the Parsippany, NJ, PD at #973-263-4314.

INTERESTING BURGLARY – CAMERON, MISSOURI. Burglars placed a shed against an outside wall of a local jewelry store and then knocked a hole in the wall while inside the shed. They escaped with jewelry left out in display cases long before anyone realized what happened. The police in Cameron have experienced a growing number of burglaries in the last few years and have a dismal clearance record of 6.32 percent in 2009. That means for every 100 crimes they solve only 6.38 cases. That is not good.

POLICE SEEK ASSISTANCE. Recently, someone sold 63 watches at a pawn shop for approximately $125K. The time pieces were of several different brands including, but not limited to, Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton and others. Law enforcement has asked the JSA to provide this information to the jewelry industry for the purpose of identifying a possible criminal incident involving these watches. If you have information regarding this matter please contact Detective S.O. Eaves, Grapevine, TX Police Dept. at #817-410-3274 or email at, seaves@grapevinetexas.gov

SAFES REMOVED BY BURGLARS IN NJ, NC AND CA. On 2/7/10, in Paramus, NJ, burglars cut a hole in a common, unprotected wall of a retail jewelry store and a Lens Crafters. The safe was then pulled through the hole by the burglars without ever entering the jewelry store. The safe, containing approx $3 million in jewelry, was then loaded onto a truck and removed by the burglars. On 2/20/10, in Kernersville, NC, five burglars gained entry into a jewelry store through a hole in an unprotected roof. The men were caught on a surveillance video using a hand cart to push the 2000 pound safe out of the store and then load it onto a truck. However, in an apparent effort to make a hasty escape the safe fell off the truck when they made a sharp turn driving away from the scene of the crime. The safe was recovered and two of the burglars were subsequently arrested. On 2/24/10, in San Juan Capistrano, CA, burglars cut a hole in a common unprotected wall of a jewelry store and an adjacent business and removed the jeweler’s safe through a rear entrance. This loss was reported to be about $1 million. COMMENT: The alarm systems involved in these burglaries were obviously inadequate and most likely did not include line security. Jewelers should not rely solely on the weight of a safe to prevent removal and should consider taking the added step of anchoring them in some manner to hinder and deter removal by criminals. Many UL rated safes are equipped with a means for anchoring.

I am working a $31,000 dollar jewelry theft from a carry on bag. The jewelry is one of a kind and unique. I have no IGA Certs or appraisals. Victim sent me some links of pictures of CZ jewelry that is similar. Can anyone give me some contacts in the Dallas area who maybe able to help. Thanks Detective Todd Jolliff 972-973-3557

RETAIL CHAIN STORE VICTIM OF GRAB AND RUN TWO HOURS AGO – GURNEE MILLS, IL. A well known retail chain store, located in the Gurnee Hills mall, suffered a loss when an individual, posing as a customer, ran out with valuable jewelry during a presentation. No injuries are reported. Police are searching for the thief.

BURGLARS REMOVE 2000 POUND SAFE AND NEVER ENTERED THE JEWELRY STORE. Last Sunday, 2/7/10, in Paramus, NJ, between 8 and 11 p.m., while most of us were watching the Super Bowl, burglars cut the power lines to a Lens Crafters’ business and disabled their alarm system. After entering Lens Crafters they broke through a common wall with a jewelry store, directly behind the jeweler’s safe, weighing over 2,000 lbs. Without actually entering the jewelry business, the burglars managed to pull the safe (UL TL30X6) into the Lens Crafters area and then apparently loaded it onto a truck and took it to another location, where they can take their time attacking it. The loss was initially reported to be approximately $3 million. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Paramus Detective Michael Cebulski at #201-262-3400, ext. 364.

RECOVERED JEWELRY FROM MADISON AVE HOMICIDE LEADS TO A SUSPECT. NYPD investigators got a big break yesterday when they spoke to an individual who had acquired several pieces of the jewelry stolen during the 1/27/10 shooting death at R.S. Durant Jewelers, 962 Madison Ave. The police have picked up a suspect but have not yet officially identified him as the shooter.

JEWELRY STOLEN DURING HOMICIDE ON 1/27/10 AT R.S. DURANT JEWELERS, 962 MADISON AVE, NYC. The jewelry stolen during this tragic event can now be viewed on the JSA Web Site. On the home page click “Tracking Stolen Jewelry.” Then click on “Jewelry Search”, located on the left side of the screen. Then click “All Jewelry.” Then click and enter status “Stolen.” Then type in key word “Madison” and click “Search.” At this time you will see a list with a brief description of the jewelry stolen during the homicide. Next to each listing you will see an icon of a small camera. Click on the camera icon to see photographs of each item. I know this may sound complicated but it is actually a simple procedure. Industry members and police officers are invited to search the Stolen Jewelry Web Site when coming into possession or being offered for sale, jewelry of suspicious origin. By clicking on the “Item” number the contact information for the appropriate members of law enforcement will be available. Please contact Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067, if you have questions or difficulty entering the site.

January 27, 2010 NEW YORK (AP) — A jewelry store worker was shot to death in a brazen midday robbery Wednesday in a shop on posh Madison Avenue, police said. Two people were working at R.S. Durant at about 12:25 p.m. when a man in his 30s wearing a blue overcoat, gray slacks, sunglasses, a black wool hat and a scarf around his face came into the Upper East Side store and said he was robbing the place, police said. The workers refused to fill two canvas bags the gunman brought, police said. The suspect took out the clip from his semiautomatic pistol and showed it to the employees, saying, "You think I'm kidding? This is real" before putting the clip back in and firing once, said NYPD spokesman Paul J. Browne. Henry Menahem, 72, was hit once in the chest. The second worker, a 49-year-old man, asked if he could call 911 to help Menahem, but the gunman refused. The store is only about 12 feet wide and about 20 feet deep and had jewelry cases hanging on the walls. The gunman smashed one of the cases and loaded bags with diamond necklaces and other jewels before fleeing south on Madison Avenue. No customers were in the store, located between 75th and 76th streets, at the time. Police were still looking for the suspect. The victim was taken to Lenox Hill hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A call to the Menahem home in Long Branch, N.J., was answered by a friend who said the family was "in total shock." The neighborhood boasts rows of swanky boutiques and expensive jewelry shops and the incident occurred not far from the Whitney Museum of American Art. The area near the shop was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, but traffic was moving along Madison Avenue. Carmen Fontanez, a private security guard who patrols the stretch of Madison Avenue, said a man was smoking in front of the store when a tall man wearing a ski mask and sunglasses pushed him inside and shut the door behind him. The shooting happened very quickly, she said. Other shopkeepers said R.S. Durant is a relatively new store and was about a year old. A shell casing from a 9-mm semiautomatic pistol was recovered at the scene. Police have been in contact with the store's owner. It's not clear how much the stolen jewelry was worth.

ROOFTOP BURGLARS HIT AGAIN IN KENNESAW, GA. ON JANUARY 14, 2010, BURGLARS DISABLED THE ALARM SYSTEM AT A RETAIL JEWLRY STORE LOCATED ON WADE GREEN RD NW, KENNESAW, GA, BEFORE CUTTING A HOLE IN THE ROOF TO GAIN ENTRY. THEY THEN BURNED OPEN TWO SAFES AND ESCAPED WITH OVER A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF JEWELRY. THIS IS THE THIRD, VERY SIMILAR, BURGLARY IN KENNESAW IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS. THE POLICE HAVE RECENTLY ARRESTED SEVERAL MEMBERS OF A GANG SUSPECTED OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR A NUMBER OF BURGLARIES IN FL, GA AND TN, ALL WITH SIMILARITIES CLOSELY RESEMBLING THIS CASE. THOSE ARRESTED WERE IDENTIFIED AS BEING OF CUBAN ANCESTRY. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS DISABLED OR WHAT TOOLS WERE EMPLOYED TO BURN OPEN THE SAFES. THE JSA WILL POST THAT INFORMATION WHEN WE ARE MADE AWARE OF THOSE DETAILS. WE ARE ALSO ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE IF THIS VICTIM WAS PROTECTED WITH LINE SECURITY

PRILIMIARY YEAR END CRIME STATISTICS: Every year at this time the JSA staff conducts a preliminary review of our crime files in preparation of providing the industry with the most accurate crime statistics possible. We are taking this opportunity to share with you some important initial findings. Contrary to conventional wisdom, and in spite of our poor economy, it appears that dollar losses in 2009 will be down from each of the previous five years. During 2009 our industry experienced a significant increase, more than 30 percent, in the total number of arrests (507) of jewelry criminals throughout the country. The most dramatic reduction in criminal activity has occurred in the category of off-premises attacks, the majority of which are attacks against traveling jewelry salespeople. The number of attacks against traveling jewelers is down about 30 percent and dollar losses have declined even more.This will be the lowest numbers of attacks on traveling jewelers in more than a decade. Unfortunately, the number of armed robberies against retail jewelers and the dollar losses involve with those cases has increased by approximately 11 percent. Three retail jewelers were killed during 2009 and arrests have been made in regard to two of those murders. The JSA will release the results of the final statistical review for 2009 later this year.

BAR PATRON LEAVES – SMASHES WINDOW AT NEARBY JEWELRY STORE – RETURNS TO BAR TO SELL STOLEN JEWELRY TO OTHER PATRONS. On 1/2/10, at about 1:20 a.m., an apparently intoxicated customer at the Cork Bar, in Ocean City, Maryland, left the bar only to return a short time later offering to sell a large quantity of jewelry, still in a display box, to the other customers. According to the police, the very intoxicated suspect, after leaving Corks Bar, smashed the window at a nearby jewelry store on the Boardwalk and stole the jewelry that he later offered for sale at the bar. The employees at the bar became suspicious and called the police, who arrested the suspect and recovered the jewelry. The 51 year old suspect’s hangover could last as long as 3 to 5 years in State Prison.

POSITIONING OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS. Over the years the JSA has received hundreds of crime videos from police investigators and directly from jewelry industry crime victims. Most are interesting, of fair or better quality, and usually present a good visual representation of various criminal events, robberies, thefts, etc. For use in regard to training of sales associates to prevent recurrences, these videos are of value. However, for purposes of identifying the criminals responsible and placing them behind bars, the majority have no value because the cameras were incorrectly positioned and only captured images of the top of the criminal’s head and not the face. The criminals are obviously aware of this flaw in our armor and most often compound the problem by wearing baseball caps to further obscure their faces. Regardless of what may be portrayed on TV and Hollywood, criminals cannot be identified with videos taken by cameras positioned at an angle so high that a picture of a criminals face is not captured. On the behalf of every Detective, Investigator, and Special Agent in the US, who has or will ever be assigned to investigate a jewelry industry crime, please have a surveillance camera installed and positioned TODAY that will capture a full face photograph of every person who walks into your place of business. When criminals case your place of business in preparation of making your business their next victim they will pay close attention to your camera angles and will surely be deterred when they realize that you just took their picture. (Bob Frank, VP, JSA)

BROOKLYN, NY – ROBBER SHOT DURING STRUGGLE WITH JEWELER. On 12/29/09, three black men, one waving a gun, walked into a retail jewelry store on 86th Street and announced a robbery. The owner resisted and fought with the armed individual. During their struggle a shot was fired and one of the other robbers was wounded in the stomach. The three men, including the wounded suspect, fled with about $100k worth of jewelry. However, all three have since been arrested. The police are still attempting to recover the stolen loot. Fortunately, the jeweler was not seriously injured. This incident could have easily resulted in the death of the jeweler, who was protected with insurance for loses incurred during a robbery. Stolen jewelry can be replaced by your insurance company. A life lost protecting jewelry is gone forever. Jewelers should never resist an armed jewelry criminal.

ROBBERS ESCAPE WITH MILLIONS – LEWISVILLE, TEXAS. On Monday morning on 12/28/09, just prior to opening for the day, a “customer” held up a watch to the window at a retail jeweler located on West Main Street, signaling that he wanted to have a battery replaced. (Lewisville is north of Dallas). An employee, alone in the store, opened the door and the “customer” immediately put a gun in his face, while holding the door open for an accomplice. The robbers fled with two duffel bags filed with jewelry and a suitcase containing gold coins. They also took the surveillance video recorder with them. The initial loss amount is reported to be between $1 and $6 million. The individual who came to the door with the watch was described as a M/W, well groomed, clean shaven, with dark brown hair. Jewelers are reminded never to allow anyone in your place of business before opening or after closing. JSA members are referred to the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 9-12 for more information and suggestions regarding this very important subject.

KISSING BANDITS OFF TO JAIL. On 12/7/09 Dean Griswold, M/W28, and Melanie Fisher, F/W24, posed as customers at a very well known, high-end jewelry store at the SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC. The police charge that, while no one was looking the couple stole about $130,000 worth of jewelry, including a ring valued at $73,000. The theft was captured on the stores surveillance system and their pictures were immediately displayed on several TV news programs. The TV coverage resulted in a quick response from a viewer who recognized the troubled couple. On 12/10 the police arrested both suspects and recovered all of the stolen property. When the police were putting them in their police car the couple kissed for the news cameras filming their arrest. Griswold’s mother, during an interview with a reporter from a local news channel, said that her son was high on Xanax and alcohol when they went shopping at the jewelry store. Both suspects have arrest records. The 24 year old female suspect has been arrested four times this year. By the time these two are able to share their next kiss; they will most likely be a lot older and hopefully a lot wiser.

HEARING IMPAIRED - TELEPHONE OPERATOR ASSISTED CREDIT CARD SCAM. The JSA, on a number of occasions in recent years, has advised retail jewelers regarding this type of scam. It begins with a phone call from a legitimate telephone company operator who informs the jeweler that a hearing-impaired individual has asked the phone company to assist them, through the use of a key board, with the purchase of jewelry. The jeweler only speaks with the operator who, reading from a typed message transmitted by the buyer, relays the message to the jeweler. In the past the majority of the losses involved the fraudulent purchase of gold chains with values at less than $5,000. The thieves provide credit card information for the purchase that is initially cleared by the credit card company but then later results in a “charge back” when the real card owners received their bill and report that they did not make the purchase. There is always a sense of urgency attached and the buyer requests immediate shipping. The items are never asked to be shipped to the billing address and many times where sent to addresses in Africa, Nigeria, etc. On 12/16/09, in Little Rock, AR, a retailer was victimized by a thief using this scam. In the past these scams have occurred sporadically with hundreds calls to retailers all over the country in a short period of time. Watch for the red flags and don’t become a victim. The Little Rock case may just be the first of many attempts to follow.

A “JSA MOST WANTED” DISTRACTION THIEF SPOTTED IN RHODE ISLAND. On 12/12/09, in the early afternoon, the suspect Tyrone Payne walked into a JSA member retail jewelry store and asked to see a two carat diamond. The retailer, recalling seeing a picture of Payne on the JSA web site, told him that he did not have what he was interested in and the suspect left. The jeweler then called the police, but not in time to apprehend Payne, who is wanted by the police in Auburn, MA pursuant to an arrest warrant in connection with a distraction theft. To see a photo of Tyrone Payne visit the JSA web site, www.jewelerssecurity.org, and click on “JSA’s Most Wanted.” If you have information concerning this suspect please contact Det. Eric Dyson, Auburn PD, #508-832-7738 0r 7777.

TRAVELING SALESMAN ATTACKED IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA. On 12/14/09 a traveling salesman had just made a call at a client located outside the Sawgrass Mall. He placed his line bag in the trunk of his car and was preparing to leave when a car full of bad guys pulled in behind him. The bad guys popped open his trunk, stole his line and fled as quickly as they had appeared. The suspects apparently had been watching the client’s retail store, observed the victim when he arrived, confirmed that he was a salesman by observing his contact with the retailer, and then attacked when the victim returned to his car.

CARLISLE, PA – JEWELER ARRESTED FOR BUYING GOLD WITHOUT STATE LICENSE. According to a story in the Central PA News, theft by deception charges have been filed against the owner of Magnolia’s Jewelers for buying gold without a required state license. Undercover county detectives sold the owner gold rings and found that the jeweler was not keeping detailed records of transactions and the scale used to weigh gold was inaccurate. The charges indicate that the jeweler also broke the law by not posting the prices she would pay for gold. The investigation was triggered by a complaint from a customer who said that she was cheated when she sold several gold pieces at Magnolia’s.

JEWELER SHOOTS BACK AFTER BEING WOUNDED AND CAPTURES ROBBER. Last night at about 7:10 PM, a woman and two men walked into a Valley Stream, NY, (Long Island) jewelry store and pulled a gun after initially pretending to be customers. During the following confrontation the owner was shot in the chest but still managed to return fire with his licensed gun. The female and one of the men ran from the store as bullets smashed through the front window. Somehow, the wounded jeweler prevented the remaining robber from leaving and detained him at gunpoint until the police responded. Fast work by the Nassau County PD resulted in the arrest of the two who ran from the store. They were found hiding nearby. The latest report indicates that the jeweler’s injury was not life threatening and he will be OK.

ROBBER SHOOTS JEWELER-JEWELER SHOOTS ROBBER-BOTH WILL LIVE. On 12/3/09, a robber shot a sales associate during an attempted robbery at a retail jewelry store on Danville Blvd, in Alamo, CA. The jeweler managed to return fire with his gun and wounded the robber. When the police responded the wounded suspect was still in the store with his gun pointed to his own head. Seems to me that this was a “no win” situation for the robber. Did he really think that threatening to kill himself would be a good bargaining point with the authorities? Thankfully, the wounded jeweler was reported in fair condition and was expected to recover. If the robber recovers he will be charged with attempted murder, assault, possession of a gun, attempted robbery, etc., which should could land him in jail for the rest of his life and unable to attack any other jewelers.

GRAB AND RUN THIEF TURNED IN BY HIS PARENTS WHO SAW HIM STEALING ON TV NEWSCAST. On 12/3/09, a news cast on a local TV station provided details of a “Grab and Run” theft that occurred on 11/10/09 at a jewelry store on Mission Ave, in Oceanside, CA. The newscast included a very good photograph of the suspect involved in the theft of about $7,000 worth of necklaces. Unfortunately, for the suspect, his parents saw the show and after recognizing their son as the thief, they called the police. According to Sgt. Kelan Poorman of the Oceanside PD, the son and accomplice who helped him sell the stolen property are under arrest. I would wager that seeing their son on TV stealing jewelry was most likely the “Last Straw” for his parents. My compliments to the parents for making such a difficult decision.

FLORIDA JEWELER AND ACCOMPLICE CHARGED WITH FAKING A $5.6 MILLION ROBBERY. On 1/11/09, the owner of Lee Havens Fine Jewelry in Palm Beach, FL, reported that he and a female employee had been robbed at gunpoint by a M/W/35, who said he had a gun. The loss was reported to be over $4 million. According to a story in the Palm Beach Daily News, the owner of the store has been charged with faking the robbery and insurance fraud. The “robber” has been identified and also arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. The news story indicated that the insurance company had paid out more that $2 million in claims related to the case before these charges became public. Great work by Detective Larry Mennite of the Palm Beach PD and a female undercover detective who worked this case with imagination and skill usually only seen on TV.

ASIAN THEFT GANG ON THE WEST COAST– ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The suspect arrested has been identified by the police as Shiji Chen. Information has been received indicating that the suspects involved may have also been active in LA and New York City. Documents found on Chen indicated travel throughout the US. If you think you have been victimized by these suspects, including an Asian female accomplice, or if you have information regarding their activities, you are asked to call Inspector Rich VanKoll, SFPD, at #415-830-1797.

ASIAN THEFT GANG OPERATING ON WEST COAST. On 11/18/09 two male Asian suspects stole a $70,000 watch from a luxury jewelry store located in Costa Mesa, CA. The method used was an old trick sometimes referred to as a “Box Switch.” The thief indicated that he wanted to purchase the watch and would return shortly with the cash. However, he insisted that the associate place it in a box and wrap it before he leaves the store to get the cash. When the associate stepped away for a moment to get some tape, the suspect removed the watch from the box and the loss was not discovered until later. On 11/27/09, the two suspects in the Costa Mesa theft were recognized by the security staff at another luxury jewelry store in San Francisco, CA, after they expressed interest in purchasing a high-end ring. However, they left empty handed after realizing that they were being closely watched by the alert staff. The suspects then entered another nearby jewelry store where one suspect, in possession of fake ID and credit cards, was apprehended by the SFPD, called by the security staff at the first store. One suspect escaped but the other was positively identified in connection with the loss in Costa Mesa. Police reports indicate that these individuals may be part of a ring of professional thieves from Hong Kong and Taiwan in the United States to commit crimes and then flee back to Hong Kong. This arrest may result in a change of venue for the remaining gang members. They could show up almost anywhere, Las Vegas, New York, Miami, etc

ONE ROBBER DIES IN CUSTODY - ACCOMPLICE IDENTIFIED AND RUNNING. Montgomery, AL. 11/20/09, 5:30 p.m. Two black men initially posed as customers at a retail jewelry store located on Eastchase Parkway and then one of them punched the sales associate in the face. The second suspect jumped over a case, stole jewelry from display cases and they both fled on foot. Police caught up to one of the suspects and while in custody he started having difficulty breathing. He was taken to Jackson Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. The police are still looking for the dead man’s accomplice who has been identified Bryant Norman, M/B/20, of Memphis, TN. An arrest warrant has been issued.

MEMO FRAUD – AN OLD PROBLEM THAT PERSISTS. Manufacturers and wholesalers must use due diligence before releasing product to a stranger. The JSA recommends that manufacturers must act like a financial institution and obtain basic information such as name, address, telephone number, email. Ask when the company was established and get a brief description of the company. Obtain credit and bank references and check with all of them and make certain that the references are real and all of the information provided is accurate. JBT is a valuable and reliable method of confirming that your “customer” is not a thief pretending to be a jeweler. Doing business on a handshake is no longer prudent. THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE – JUST A GOOD WAY TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

ROOFTOP BURGLARS MAKE LARGE SCORE IN EAST POINT, GA. WHILE JEWELERS SLEEP. On 11/6/09 burglars cut a whole in the roof of a well known jewelry chain location and immediately upon entering they cut the phone lines and other cables involved with the security system. The store either did not have line-security or it simply didn’t work because no signal was sent. Police reports indicate the burglars may have been practicing their trade at the store for more than five hours before leaving with more than half a million in jewelry. That amounts to about $100,000 an hour for the criminals. They also took the DVR system when the left. They carried in all of the required burglar tools with them, including oxygen and acetylene tanks, which were used to burn, open the safes, and left them behind as souvenirs for the police. This is just one of dozens of similar burglaries that the JSA has reported in the last two years. The JSA has not yet learned the UL classification the safes attacked at this crime scene but I would not hesitate to wager that it was not a TRTL30X6. However, without line security, even a TRTL30X6 could be compromised by burglars sick with the Swine Flu, if allowed to work uninterrupted for five hours.

LATE NIGHT BANK DEPOSITS. With holiday season upon us and optimistic predictions of perhaps the best season in a couple of years, this is a good time for retail jewelers to review security procedures. One security problem that we have seen increase during past holiday seasons has been robberies of store personnel while making late night bank deposits. Criminals have been known to wait at bank deposit drop location and attack individuals making a drop. Not surprisingly, in many instances the attacks involved unaccompanied female employees. However, men were also victimized. The JSA recommends that deposits remain in the store overnight and delivered to the bank during safer business hours. Some retailers also hire private security firms to escort store personnel making banks drops after hours. This is something to give careful consideration, before something happens!

Thanks for your comments and advice regarding the shooting in Mesquite, TX. However, you apparently are not a JSA member and understandably not familiar with our traditional, long time, recommendations against the use of guns by jewelers. You may also not be aware that the JSA strongly advises our membership of approx. 21,000 jewelry businesses, to train their staff not to resist when confronted by a jewelry criminal. The historical record has shown that during the vast majority of deadly confrontations between jewelers and criminals the violence is preceded by some form of resistance on the part of the victim jeweler. Our review of more than a thousand armed confrontations involving our industry has confirmed that violence almost never occurs when there has been no resistance. Your advice regarding the use of deadly force only when there is an imminent threat to life is, in my opinion, sound and followed by me with dedication during my law enforcement career. Be that as it may, it is not the law of the land. I know of one state where deadly physical force is permitted if the value of property taken during the commission of a pure larceny is $250 or greater, apparently, even if the thief is running away, and there are other states that have similar statutes. You also may not be aware that there are a number of events, similar to those that occurred in Mesquite and the case you mentioned in Las Vegas that have occurred this year, and every year, in different parts of the country and more often than not, the jewelers were not prosecuted. It has been my observation, depending on which way the political winds are blowing in a particular jurisdiction at a particular time, and several other critical elements, a jeweler who uses deadly physical force, justifiable or otherwise, may be declared a hero, an indicted felon, or receive the more permanent designation of DOA. Those indicted and those honored as a hero must also be concerned with civil litigation brought by the families of the deceased, wounded or possibly disabled suspect. (Bob Frank, JSA, #2121-687-0328)

Besides the stupid jeweler who fired at the unarmed thief running from his store in Mesquite, TX, on October 30th (now charged with discharging a fire arm - really should be charged with attempted murder), there is also a pawn shop owner awaiting trial for murder in Las Vegas for shooting a thief in the back who was running out of his store with a Cartier watch on January 30, 2009. You should advise your jewelers that deadly force may not be used to protect property absent an imminent threat to life.

MESQUITE, TX – JEWELER SHOOTS AT THIEF IN CROWDED MALL. On 10/30/09, at about 4:40pm, a thief posing as a customer grabbed a diamond ring from the owner of a jewelry store in the Town East Mall, and ran out of the store. The owner grabbed his handgun and fired a shot at the thief. The bullet missed the bad guy but ricocheted off shelving in a nearby JCPenny department store. The thief, described as a black male in his 20’s, got away; however, the jeweler was arrested and charged with deadly conduct for firing his gun in the crowded mall. Thankfully, the jeweler’s bullet didn’t hit an innocent bystander. The value of the ring, a few thousand dollars. The value of a human life, priceless.

UPDATE REGARDING THE THEFT AT AMERICAN BLUE DIAMONDS. On 10/28/09, a message posted on the JSA Crime Message Center, from an unidentified messenger, provided information pertaining to the criminal activities of a 44 year old suspected thief who used the name Timothy Liess, which is his real name. The JSA has learned that Timothy apparently enjoyed being a thief and tried his hand at a number of ways to steal jewelry. The police report that he would often ask to look at jewelry, which he would then grab and run with. On other occasions he would switch loose diamonds with CZ’s when unsuspecting sales associates were looking the wrong way. Liess was also identified in cases where he purchased jewelry and watches with fraudulent checks and in several other incidents he would switch expensive jewelry with fakes using fraudulent tags that he attached to the fakes. However, the criminal career of Mr. Liess came to an end yesterday in Knoxville, TN, when he committed suicide as police where attempting to take him into custody in a hotel parking lot. Liess had four active warrants for his arrest in Texas and is suspected of hitting jewelers in five other southeastern states. Oddly, Liess was a well-known watercolor artist in Austin, TX.

RESPONSE TO AMERICAN BLUE DIAMONDS MESSAGE. Thanks for contacting the JSA. Please be advised that the JSA is aware o f the suspect and the losses that have occurred. The JSA is in touch with Detective Brooks and we have made our resources available to him. The JSA will shortly be issuing a nationwide Wanted Bulletin for his arrest. (Bob Frank, JSA, #212-687-0328)

MOM AND POP JEWELERS MURDERED IN SOUTH CAROLINA. On 10/23/09, a married couple who had a jewelry business in Taylors, SC, met with an acquaintance, who they thought was going to introduce them to someone with a large amount of jewelry to sell. The suspect, with whom they had a previous business relationship, directed them to drive to a location where the seller was supposed to be. There was no seller and police have charged the suspect, Matthew Brandon Fullbright, 29, with luring the victims to an isolated area to rob them but ended up beating them to death with a blunt instrument. The husband’s body was discovered on 10/25. His wife’s body was found on 10/28, in IVA, SC, about ten miles from where the husband’s remains were found, and their car was found at a third location. The suspect surrendered to the police on 10/28 and led them to the wife’s body. The matter is being investigated by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Dept. The police believe that both killing occurred in IVA, SC. The male victim was 72, and his wife was 69.

CARLSBAD, CA – ROOFTOP ROBBERY. On 10/20/09, at about 9:15 AM, the police responded to a holdup alarm from a retail jeweler located on State St. The police determined that a robber or robbers cut a hole in the roof during the night, climbed inside the store and hid in the restroom until the employees came to work in the morning. After the staff had deactivated the alarm system upon entering the store and opened the safe, the robber confronted the employees with a handgun and ordered them to the floor while he emptied the open safe. The robber then fled from the store the same way he came in, through the roof. The suspect was described as a M/H, 5’10”, wearing a paintball type plastic mask. It is not clear if more than one suspect was involved. Apparently, the roof at this location was not properly protected since no signal was sent when the suspect made a hole large enough for a man to pass through.

RETAIL JEWELER SENTENCED FOR DRUG RELATED MONEY LAUNDERING. According to the US Attorney’s office in Baltimore, MD., the owner of a jewelry store in Pikesville, MD was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison to be followed by five years probation after pleading guilty in Federal Court to conspiracy to launder drug money. During an IRS investigation the jeweler accepted $12,500 in cash from an undercover IRS agent in exchange for jewelry on one occasion and $23,500 in cash in exchange for jewelry, from the same agent, at another time. In both instances the agent made it clear to the jeweler that he was a drug dealer from Tennessee and the money was proceeds from drug trafficking. The jeweler then failed to file IRS Form 8300 to document the transactions. As part of the jeweler’s plea agreement, he admitted accepting at least $336,000 from drug dealers in exchange for jewelry between 1982 and 2006.

PHONE COMPANY REPAIR CREW DISCOVERS ROOFTOP BURGLARY. On 10/10/09, an AT&T repairman, responding to a report of “line trouble” at a retail jewelry store on West Broad St, in Athens, Georgia, discovered three holes in the roof of the store. Police report that the day before the burglary a suspicious man wearing dark clothing, with a deep scar that ran along his cheek to the corner of his mouth, was asking questions about the store and the value of the diamonds sold there. During the initial police investigation the police were unable to contact the owner to determine how much jewelry was stolen. Jewelers should provide their local police with an emergency phone number for use in situations such as this and other possible emergency conditions.

SPECIAL ALERT FOR RETAIL JEWELERS REGARDING METHODS USED BY BURGLARS IN CONNECTION WITH ACTIVE PATTERN OF ROOFTOP BURGLARIES– ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES. Targeted jewelry stores are always cased to some degree before an entry is attempted. Jewelers must be on constant alert for suspicious individuals, usually posing as customers, showing more interest in your security measures than in making a purchase. It is common for the burglars to intensionally cause a signal to be sent to your alarm company, usually by cutting a telephone line in a manner not easily detectible by alarm company investigators or responding police personnel. Upon receipt of a signal the police and the owner are notified and under ideal situations they and the alarm company all respond and inspect the premises to find no sign of forced entry. The alarm company diagnoses the problem as “line trouble” and notifies the phone company to check the line and repair the condition. Everyone then leaves and the jeweler goes home relieved that there was not a break-in. The problem now is that the jewelry store is no longer protected and will not be until the phone company makes the repair. Unfortunately, these attacks most often occurred on a weekend night and the phone company is not coming until Monday morning to avoid paying overtime to their repair crew. The burglars know this and can now break into the store and take their time attacking a safe or vault with little fear of detection. Under all such situations, when “Line Trouble” is the determined to be the cause of a signal, the affected location must he guarded and occupied until the trouble is corrected and the alarm system reactivated. Some of the victims in the recent attacks had no line security and no protection for their roofs, ceilings or common (plaster board) walls adjacent to other unprotected businesses. If you do not have some form of line security the burglars only need to cut your phone line and you no longer have an active alarm system. Too many of the victims had safes that were nothing more than fire safes or safes that had UL ratings far below acceptable underwriting standards for the amount of value involved. The JSA recommends the correct rating for a safe used by a retail jeweler should be a TRTL30X6. In at least one case the burglars did not even attempt to attack a TRTL30X6 safe and chose instead to attack a TL30 safe, which they easily entered. In several instances burglars found enough jewelry left out in display cases overnight to make their efforts worth their while, and never attacked the safes. They probably concluded that the safes were empty because all the jewelry was on display. (If you are a jeweler and you are not familiar with UL ratings, and unaware of the difference between a TRTL30X6 and TL30, you should contact a security expert or the JSA. as soon as possible. The burglars know the difference.) For additional information regarding this serious problem please refer to the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security.

UPDATE REGARDING POST "GOLD CHAINS SWITCHED BY SELLER". One of the suspects left his finger prints and was identified by police as "Alejandro Padilla". He was arrested at his South Gate, California home. He was also booked for parole violations. He used a bogus CA ID with the name "LUIS MEZA". According to information I recieved these criminals are working for the yet not identified man with "braided pig tails".

OFFICER SHOT DURING ROBBERY IN HIGHLAND PARK, MI. On 10/10/09 two police officers from the Highland Park PD responded to a holdup alarm at the Gold Nugget Jewelry Exchange. When the officers entered the store two men came from behind a bullet proof glass partition and started shooting. The officers returned fire, one officer was shot in the arm and two customers were also wounded, one seriously. The robbers attempted to escape in a van parked nearby but were quickly apprehended by other police officers who also recovered a gun from their van. Police are hunting for a possible third suspect involved in this robbery.

THIEVES IN JSA HOME PAGE VIDEO STRIKE AGAIN IN JOHNSTOWN, PA. On 8/11/09, two well dressed men distracted a sales associate and stole a 1.44 carat diamond at a retail jewelry store located in Zanesville, OH. A surveillance video of the event is currently available for viewing on the home page of the JSA web site. On 10/3/09, these same suspects were unsuccessful at one retail location in Johnstown, PA, before visiting another nearby store and, while one distracted a sales associate the other reached over a counter and stole jewelry. To see these thieves in action “click” on the video displayed on the JSA home page and view them in action. They are on the move and may visit your store next.

GRAB AND RUN THIEF – TATTOO “DEENA” ON NECK. On 10/3/09, at a retail jewelry store located in Culver City, CA, a thief posing as a customer asked to see the largest solitaire in the store after looking at several other pieces. When the sales associate, who was uncomfortable because of another man hanging around outside, removed a 2 carat solitaire from a case, the suspect grabbed it and ran out of the store. Suspect described as, M/B/25-29 years, 5’9”, thin, scars on knuckles, prominent tattoo “Deena” that goes from his neck to his elbows on both arms, white T-shirt, cell phone, blue hat with an “A” on it. The possible accomplice outside the store was a B/M, 6’, heavy. The JSA has many crime reports in our database which occurred following a request from a thief posing as a customer see “the largest or most expensive diamond in the store.” Any such request must always be considered as a very large RED FLAG.

FOUR ROOFTOP BURGLARS ARRESTED IN MARTIN CO., FL. On 9/22/09, at about 1:15 am, Deputies from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alarm signal from a retail jewelry store located on NW Federal highway in Jensen Beach. The deputies conducted a very thorough inspection of the area and discovered a hole in the roof of a business adjoining the jewelry store and additional holes through the wall leading to the jewelry store. The burglars attempted to escape but when the dust settled the deputies had apprehended and arrested four men who claimed to be Cuban nationals and charged them with burglary, possession of burglar tools and other related charges. The coppers seized two vehicles used by the suspects to drive to Jensen Beach from their main hangouts in Miami. Also discovered at the scene and confiscated were walkie-talkie radios, an electric grinder, a jackhammer, a compressor, flashlights, cutting torches, gas cylinders, gloves and dark clothing. Given the numerous rooftop burglaries that have been occurring in Florida and the surrounding areas for more than a year, these arrests are very important. The Deputies who initially responded to the burglar alarm signal should be commended for an exceptional job.

BURGLARS ARRESTED WHEN JEWELER USES VIDEO FEED AT RESIDENCE. At about 1:15 am, Sunday morning, 9/20/09, a retail jeweler received two alarm signals from his store located on Wall Street, Norwalk, CT., and utilizing a live video security system, which allowed him to see inside of his store from his home in Fairfield, he observed three men in his store. The jeweler immediately called the police, who were nearby and were able to quickly respond and arrest the three male Hispanic burglars as they attempted to escape in a SUV parked near the back door. It was later determined that the suspects were from California. The police are investigating the possibility that these suspects may be responsible for other similar burglaries in the area.

POLICE OFFICER SECURITY ESCORT SHOT IN HOUSTON. On Friday, 9/11/09, at about 4 PM, a watch salesman from New Jersey, left his line in his car with an off-duty police officer employed as his security escort for the day, while the salesman ran up to his hotel room to get something. Soon after the salesman entered the hotel, located across the street from the Galleria, a car full of armed bad guys wearing masks pulled up. They immediately smashed the rear windows to get at the line. What happened next is not exactly clear but when the gun smoke settled the officer was wounded in the leg, one bad guys was dumped by his accomplices at a nearby hospital with two gunshots and the police were searching for second suspect who was also believed shot and possibly DOA. Thankfully, the officer's wound was not serious and he left the hospital soon after being treated. The bad guys, Hispanic male SATG members did not get the line either. Another great job by an outstanding member of professional law enforcement.

GOLD CHAINS SWITCHED BY SELLER. On 9/1/09, two Hispanic men presented 14K gold chains for sale to a retailer located on State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. They tested positive for 14K and after weighing the chains, the retailer offered $4,000 cash. The seller put the chains back into his bag while they discussed the price. The seller then agreed to the price and pulled the chains out of his bag and handed them to the retailer who weighed them again and the weight was the same, however, he did not re-test. The Hispanic men then left after receiving the cash. The following day the retailer re-tested the chains and discovered they had been switched with gold plated chains which were stamped 14K. The suspects are described as: #1-M/H, tall, 170 lbs, mustache, CA Driver’s Lic. with name, Luis Meza. #2-M/H, 5’6”, long braided hair, cell phone, wearing big dial watch. This is an old scam that has been posted on the JSA Crime Message Center in the very recent past.

REATAIL JEWELER SHOT AND KILLEDIN KEARNY, NJ. A short time ago the JSA has been advised that the son of a retail jeweler has been shot and killed this morning, 8/18/09, in Kearny, NJ, apparently during a robbery at the store located on Kearny Ave. The report indicated that neighboring merchants discovered the wounded jeweler’s son. Two men were observed running from the scene. Additional information will be posted as soon as available

SALESMAN ROBBED IN NASHVILLE - JEWELRY RECOVERED BY NYPD. On 8/12/09, a traveling jewelry salesperson from New York, while sitting in his car parked in a hotel parking lot in Nashville, North Carolina, was robbed of his line valued at $250,000. Three masked men smashed his car windows and slashed his tires before escaping. On 8/17/09, members of the NYPD, Organized Theft Squad, observed three individuals, one of whom they had previously arrested in connection with a gem theft, trying to sell a large quantity of jewelry in the diamond district in NYC on 47th Street between 5th and 6th Ave. When approached by the NY coppers the men fled, leaving the jewelry behind. Two of the suspects were apprehended and subsequently charged with criminal possession of stolen property. The recovered jewelry was positively identified as that which was stolen from the salesman in Nashville. A joint investigation is now being conducted by the NYPD, OTS, and the Nash County Sheriff’s office in NC. Another excellent job by law enforcement.

MESSAGE FOR ANALYST WITH ANAHEIM PD. Please call Bob Frank at the JSA, #800-537-0067.

INTERNAL ALERT SYSTEM DETERS CRIMINALS IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. On 8/11/09, two suspected jewelry thieves entered a jewelry store a couple of minutes apart and pretended to shop without acknowledging one another. Alert sales staff members immediately became suspicious an initiated their Internal Alert plan by announcing a unique code phrase. Part of their plan included one employee leaving the store and watching from a safe distance with a cell phone. Soon after initiating the plan, the suspects, obviously aware of the employee outside, departed one at a time, without making a purchase. The second suspect to leave was observed jumping over a wall in the parking lot and then get into a car driven by the other suspect. DESCRIPTION: #1-M/W/23, 5’3”, whiskers, short brn hair, tattoos on back of calves. DESCRIPTION: #2- M/B/23, 5’3”, 100lbs, two gold teeth, puffy left ear. Driving green Chevy. Sedan. Information and suggestions on how to establish an “Internal Alert System” in your store can be found in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, page 15.

JEWELRY CRIME DOWN IN SAUDI ARABIA – READ WHY!! A court in Abha, Saudi Arabia, has sentenced the leader of a jewelry store robbery gang to have his head cut off and then to a three- day “crucifixion”, a public display of his headless body. Six other gang members will also lose their heads for their part in a series of jewelry store robberies in the towns of Tanouma and Qana, according to a story in the Saudi Gazette by Abdul Rahman Al-Qarni. Two others from the 23 member gang got 15 years in prison, six got ten years and one received seven years. All will also receive from 1,000 to 1,300 lashes with a whip. It was not clear if those scheduled to die would also be whipped before losing their heads. The remainder of the gang received sentences from 15 months to one year. The arrests apparently took place between 2005 and 2007 and I would wager that their appeals, which often take 10 years in the USA, will not delay carrying out the sentences.

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD. The JSA has received a report form a retail jeweler in Cottleville, MO, that an individual sold him what appeared to be an expensive gold chain that tested as real gold on the end links and clasp but the rest of the chain turned out to be fake. The jeweler was fooled but managed to stop the check in time when he realized he had been scammed. This is something for all jewelers who make walk-in purchases from people they don’t know, to consider. If there is a thief doing this in Cottleville they may be another preparing to make you his next victim. To be sure, the next victim will be asked to pay in cash. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 6’2”, black hair, no accent and used the name, Hector Rodriguez. He drove a Maroon Grand Prix auto.

ROBBER USED A GUN AND A BABY STROLLER. On Monday, 7/210/09, in Bowie, MD, a man pushing an empty baby stroller followed the female jeweler, who was alone and opening a jewelry store at the start of the business day. Once inside the man displayed a gun, forced the woman to open the safe and then tied her up. The robber then loaded the store’s inventory into the stroller and calmly walked out and made his escape. Information regarding the safe and proper procedures for opening and closing a jewelry business is covered in the JSA Manual of Jewelry Security, pages 19, 20. The basic advice is to never open alone. It is also most likely that the robber spent some time casing this store and probably watched the victim opening alone several times before committing the robbery. It is during the time the criminals are watching and studying their intended victims that they are most vulnerable to be spotted by an alert and vigilant target, who can then take appropriate action.

ROBBERY AT 580 FIFTH AVE., NYC. On SAT, 7/18/09, at about 2:45 PM, the suspect, posed as a customer interested in purchasing a ring valued at $13,000. The suspect then displayed what looked like a shotgun but was later determined to be a BB gun, struggled with the jeweler and fled with the ring. The owner and witnesses followed the robber to a nearby subway station where he was arrested by uniform patrol officers. The ring was recovered as was the BB gun. The suspect is described as a, M/B/44, 5’8”, 280 lbs. and he was out of jail on probation until 2013.

INTERPOL DESCRIBES “PINK PANTHERS’ AS TRANSNATIONAL GANG OF 200 MEMBERS. Two months ago detectives and investigators from 16 countries met in Monaco as part of “Project Pink Panther”, which was established in 2007 by Interpol. The gang is suspected of being responsible for more than 90 jewelry crimes in 19 countries since 1999. Recently, two high ranking gang members were arrested in Paris and another was arrested in Montenegro in connection with a nearly $2 million loss to a jeweler in Germany. Three others were also arrested recently in Monaco as they were about to pull an armed robbery. History has demonstrated that it would not be unusual for a group like this to come to the USA to escape the current intense interest by law enforcement in Europe. This information should be of great interest to the many luxury US jewelry firms with stores and interests in Europe.

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