San Diego, CA- On November 21, 2024, a male customer entered a jewelry store and began browsing through the selection of jewelry and watches. The suspect selected two items for potential purchase: a high value 18K yellow gold watch and a men’s 14K yellow gold nugget-style ring with diamonds. The suspect agreed to a purchase the items with a cash deposit of $500.00 and a wire transfer for the remainder. The items were placed in separate boxes, and the customer indicated that he would wire the remaining balance of the purchase price to the business account. While the employee was in the process of preparing the bank wire instructions for him, the customer began to handle the watch box and covered his hand with the polishing cloth from the watch box, discreetly removed the watch, and closed the box. He then requested that both the watch and the ring be stored inside our safe for safekeeping until the payment was received. It was discovered at a later date after the wire transfer did not arrive and that the watch was missing.
If you have any information regarding this subject, please contact the Jewelers Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.