Posts in category: distraction theft

Las Vegas, Nevada- On June 06, 2026, it was reported that an attempted distraction theft had occurred. A male suspect entered the store while the employees were assisting other customers. The male suspect removed keys from his pants pocket and attempted to open several showcases. An alert couple, who were shopping together, observed the male suspect attempting to open the showcases with keys and photographed him. The male suspect then acted as though he did not know what the customers were talking about and quickly exited the store. Mall security was quickly notified and followed the male suspect, and received information about his car, which was provided to the police. It is suspected that the suspect is responsible for incidents at other jewelry stores in the area. Information provided to JSA indicates the suspect is known to wear disguises, including wigs, hats, and fake facial hair. The male suspect always has a watch on his left wrist, with a leather band. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was notified.

Suspect(s) Description: Male, Caucasian, 5″6- 5’7″, 180 lbs., 40- 50 yrs old, fake grey wig, brown eyes, beige light striped polo shirt, grey pants, light grey slip-on shoes, watch on left wrist, grey Milwaukee Tools baseball cap, carrying a large green J.Crew shopping bag

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

Olympia, Washington – On March 06, 2026, it was reported that a distraction theft incident occurred. A male suspect entered the store where he was greeted by an employee., It was reported the male displayed a large stack of cash (RED FLAG). The male looked at several necklaces and bracelets, while continuing to have a conversation with the employee. During the interaction with the employee, the suspect palmed items in his hand and left the store. The Olympia Police Department were notified.

Suspect(s) Description: Male, mid 40’s, 6’0, 300lbs, black hair, black facial hair, black jacket, pink polo shirt, faded black pants, black loafer dress shoes with gold design on top and white soles, wearing a gold ring on his left hand pinky finger and wearing a watch on left wrist.

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

Las Vegas, Nevada- On February 22, 2026, it was reported that a distraction theft incident occurred. A male suspect entered the store where they were greeted by an employee. The male walked to the gold showcase and began to look at gold necklaces and bracelets. The male reached in his jacket, removed and displayed a large stack of cash (RED FLAG) and placed it on the top of the showcase, attempting to distract the employee showing interest to buy the items. The male would distract the employee by selecting and comparing several necklaces and bracelets (RED FLAG) , while continuing to have a conversation with the employee. The male grabbed a bracelet, palm the items in his hand and concealing the bracelet into his jacket pocket. The male place a couple of necklaces and bracelets on hold and then exited the store. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were notified. No injuries reported.

Suspect(s) Description: Male, mid 40’s, 6’0, 300lbs, black hair, black facial hair, black jacket, white polo shirt with a black stripe, black pants, black loafer dress shoes with gold design on top and white soles and sunglasses

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

New York, NY– UPDATE: The owner of another jewelry store near one of the incidents, told News 12 she recognizes two of the women wanted for theft.

On March 17th, they came in her shop with a man, suspiciously asking to try on jewelry while trying to grab other items in display cases. The owner said because of her vigilant staff, they left with nothing.
Police are asking for help finding three women they say are behind a string of jewelry thefts across the city — including two that happened just minutes apart in Williamsburg.
Investigators say the incidents all happened on Monday, March 9.

According to police, the group first hit a Catbird jewelry store on Centre Street in Manhattan around 2 p.m., where they took about $31,000 worth of jewelry. Hours later, police say they showed up in Williamsburg. The first Brooklyn stop was at Gorjana on North 7th Street around 6:10 p.m., where investigators say they took about $7,000 worth of jewelry. Then, less than an hour later, the same group went to another Catbird store just around the corner on North 6th Street, taking about $3,500 more.
Surveillance video shows three women walking into the stores and looking at jewelry displays.
Police say the plan was simple: Two of the women kept an employee busy by asking questions, while the third reached into a display case and took the jewelry.

The owner of another jewelry store near one of the incidents, told News 12 that she recognizes two of the women wanted for theft. She said they came in her shop on Tuesday with a man and asked to try on jewelry while trying to grab other items in display cases. The owner said because of her vigilant staff, they left with nothing.

Article provided by Brooklyn News 12. Click HERE to view

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

Dallas, TX- On February 14, 2026, a distraction-based theft occurred at a jwerlry store resulting in a 16K loss. It was reported the a male and female entered the store on Valentine’s Day and requested to see gold chains. While being assisted, both suspects positioned themselves on either side of the employee and kept the employee engaged in continuous conversation. Their excessive hand gestures and proximity appeared intended to distract her. During the interaction, the employee handed multiple chains to the female suspect. She is seen concealing one of the chains in her hand. The male suspect is observed reaching around the counter area and removing a second chain. Shortly after the interaction, they then left the store, indicating they would return.

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

New York, NY – Police are looking for two men accused of stealing nearly $30,000 worth of jewelry from a luxury jewelry store in Hudson Yards.

The pair entered The Shops at Hudson Yards around 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 5 and headed towards the high-end store Monica Rich Kosann, according to police. The two men allegedly worked in tandem, distracting an employee in order to grab three pieces of jewelry while no one was watching.

Surveillance video released by police showed the two men talking with a woman working at the store as she pulled out a display to show them jewelry pieces.

The stolen merchandise was worth more than $29,500. The men hid the luxury items from the employee and left the store, police said. No one was reported injured as a result of the heist.

One of the suspects was last seen wearing a black knit hat, black jacket, dark jeans and gray sneakers. The other was last seen wearing a brown hat, black jacket, blue shirt, dark blue pants and dark shoes.

Article provided by NBC News, click HERE to view.

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

“The department posted photos of evidence recovered and of the suspects, seeking businesses that might recognize their stolen property and requesting the public’s help in identifying other thefts that may be linked.”

Los Angeles, CA- The Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday it busted an organized crime group that targeted jewelry and retail businesses in the U.S. and abroad, including a theft in Los Angeles last month.

A monthlong investigation led to the arrests of two people and the identification of six others sought in connection with a series of grand thefts, police said in a statement. Investigators believe the group has been active since at least 2016 and targeted businesses in several states including California, Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, Minnesota, Texas and Washington as well as others in the United Kingdom and Canada.

The Glendale Police Department, Arcadia Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Jewelers’ Security Alliance also were involved in the investigation.

During a Dec. 16 robbery, several suspects walked into Good Art HLYWD, a high-end jewelry store in Pico Union, and said they had an appointment to view jewelry, according to an affidavit submitted by LAPD officer Bryan Espinosa to establish probable cause in a search warrant executed after the incident.

The men flashed a large sum of cash and said they were looking for a gift for their father, the shop’s owner, Josh Warner, told KTLA. The store typically accepts customers only by appointment.

As they were shown jewelry, one distracted the employee and made off with two pieces, fleeing in a black BMW, according to the warrant.

The thieves got by a security guard standing outside, but their images were captured by surveillance video, KTLA reported. The pieces stolen were worth $ 200,000, Warner said.

While executing the warrant, detectives recovered watches, jewelry and clothing believed to be stolen, police said. The department posted photos of evidence recovered and of the suspects, seeking businesses that might recognize their stolen property and requesting the public’s help in identifying other thefts that may be linked.

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

Article provided by LA Times, click HERE to view.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Two suspects who are allegedly part of an international crime ring responsible for multiple jewelry and retail thefts have been arrested, according to police, and six others remain at large.

Constantin Totoi, 38, and European Muntaneu, 40, were arrested last month following a multi-agency investigation.

The suspects who are still at large were identified as Raytan Muntaneu, 26, Retan Varga, 28, Acunta Muntean, 40, Ioan Markus, 30, Anghel Bazill, 28, Ioan Markus, 30, and Procotor Muntean, 25.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, detectives served a search warrant last month regarding a theft that happened in LAPD’s Rampart Division.

“On December 17, 2025, a news segment aired regarding the incident that generated investigative leads and prompted the initiation of a coordinated multi-agency investigation,” said LAPD in a statement.

As a result of the investigation, police said detectives identified several suspected members of the crime ring believed to be responsible for thefts that targeted jewelry and retail businesses across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Investigators believe the group has been active since at least 2016.

During the search last month, detectives recovered watches, jewelry, and clothing believed to be stolen during these incidents. Detectives also found “numerous fraudulent forms of identification, passports, and other related documents,” according to police.

“Detectives are requesting the public and outside law enforcement agency assistance in identifying additional crimes these individuals were involved in, as well as any jewelry stores or retail businesses that recognize the recovered property,” said LAPD.

If you have any information regarding additional incidents or information on these criminals, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328. These criminals travel state to state to avoid detection and prosecution. Jewelers be Alert!

To view article provided by ABC News, click HERE.

Long Island, NY – Nassau County Police have arrested four individuals from Connecticut in connection with a series of jewelry thefts targeting elderly victims across the county.

The suspects — Cosmina Caldararu (39), Laura Calin (33), Alexandru Dumitru (36), and Constantin Dumitru (41) — are accused of multiple incidents between July and November 2025, involving victims ranging from 18 to 94 years old.

All defendants face grand larceny and conspiracy charges and have been released on Appearance Tickets pending ICE review. Authorities urge the public:

Do not accept gifts from strangers.

To see the article provided by 5 Town Central- click HERE.

Tamworth, England– An appeal has launched to find four men wanted in connection with a Rolex theft at a Midland town centre shop. The theft took place at a store in George Street in the centre of Tamworth last Thursday (November 13). Four men are said to have arrived in a yellow Lamborghini and went into the shop shortly before 4.30pm. The men asked to look at gold items for sale.

And then snatched a Rolex Sprite watch worth around £12,500 before fleeing the scene in the sports car. Staffordshire Police has now issued CCTV images of four men its officers would like to speak to in connection with the theft.

The first man has a black beard and is wearing a black hoodie and a black baseball cap with a white panel with writing on, at the front.

The second man has short black hair, a beard and is wearing a black, zipped bomber jacket, over a black t-shirt with light blue jeans.

The third man has black hair and a beard and is wearing a distinctive white shirt with a multi-coloured all-over print and a black t-shirt.

While the fourth man also has black hair and a beard and is wearing a turquoise t-shirt with a print on the front and jeans.

In issuing the CCTV appeal, a spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “Do you recognise these men?

“We would like to speak to them in connection with the theft of a Rolex watch, worth in the region of £12,500, from a store on George Street in Tamworth recently. “We were called at 4.30pm on Thursday (13 November) to the store following reports of theft.

“Four men, who had been travelling in a yellow Lamborghini, had gone into the store and asked to look at some of the gold items for sale, before snatching the Rolex Sprite watch and making off in the vehicle.

“We have reviewed CCTV footage of the area at the time and are releasing images of individuals we would like to trace in connection with the theft.

Article provided by Birmingham News, click here to view article.