Longmont, CO – February 25, 2024 – Police up and down the Front Range are looking for 56-year-old James Margulis. He’s wanted by several police departments, accused of stealing from at least eight jewelry stores in two months. One victim is warning other business owners to be on the lookout.
Rudy Rodriguez is co-owner of a jewelry store in Longmont. He used to put the best, most expensive jewelry out on the floor. “Now, everything stays in the safe,” Rodriguez said. “You never know who’s coming through the door, because this guy that came through the door, he was nice looking and dressed well.”
Security video from Jan. 17 shows Rodriguez working behind the counter when a man in a tan jacket walks in. “I was going to show him one, and then he says ‘What about those?’” Rodriguez said. “I looked down and that’s when he took them and ran.”
The man stole a fistful of gold chains worth about $10,000. Rodriguez said he chased after the suspect, but he got away. “He stole from me,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I pursued him, because it’s like coming into my house. This is our house. I was this close to grabbing that dude.”
Court documents show the suspect has a pattern. He acts like a typical customer coming in during business hours to shop for a family member. Sometimes it’s his anniversary and other times it’s a birthday or graduation. According to investigators, when he sees an opportunity to grab and run, he goes for it.
Court documents show Margulis has at least four warrants for his arrest. Two warrants are out of Boulder County, one out of Jefferson County, and another out of Larimer County. Margulis is accused of stealing from at least eight jewelry stores between Dec. 13 and Jan. 25.
“It’s mind-boggling, and it’s upsetting,” Rodriguez said. “Do any of these other jewelry stores that he hasn’t walked into, do they know that’s his MO? Do they even know?”
Rodriguez has made some changes to his store. He’s added new security, such as motion sensor cameras. He’s also keeping more of their jewelry in the safe. “And if we show any of our gold, we show it over here,” Rodriguez said, pointing to the back of the store.
Margulis has been convicted of several thefts in the past. In addition to his new warrants, documents show he’s also wanted for violating parole.
Click here to read the original, unrevised article written by Brianna Clark.
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If you have any information regarding these subjects, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.