While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
Police nab suspect who left cell phone behind
A Minnesota man recently was arrested in connection with a jewelry store robbery after he left behind one vital piece of evidence that led police right to him -- his cell phone.
Minneapolis--A Minnesota man recently was arrested in connection with a jewelry store robbery after he left behind one vital piece of evidence that led police right to him--his cell phone.
According to the Sun Current, the 23-year-old suspect, whose identity is not being released at this time, was arrested on June 16 after the police tracked him down through contacts listed in his phone.
Just three days earlier, police had responded to an alarm at Wixon Jewelers in Minneapolis.
When the officers arrived, they noticed there was damage to the roof as well an open window on the building’s north side, but there was no one in the shop when they were let in, Bloomington Police Cmdr. Jim Ryan told the news website.
Wixon reported that a gold watch and bags of unsorted jewels, which contained links for Rolex watches as well as a diamond ring valued at $10,000 inside, were missing from their office.
However, a white cellphone was found on a desk next to the open window and, since it did not belong to any of the store employees, it was taken as evidence.
Once investigators received a warrant to search the contents of the phone, they discovered the number of a parole officer.
When they contacted the officer, he told them that the suspect connected to the phone was on parole -- he had served 29 months for aggravated first-degree robbery and had eight months of parole remaining--and that he lived with his mother. The parole officer also was able to provide the phone number of the mother, who was listed on the cell phone under “Mom.”
They conducted a search of the residence the suspect shared with his mother and found clothing and gloves that matched those of the perpetrators of the burglary--the man who left his cell phone behind and one other suspect who was at the scene of the crime but has not been arrested.
According to the Sun Current, some of the jewelry stolen from Wixon Jewelers has been recovered after a separate duo, an older man and woman, tried to sell it at a local pawn shop. The pair are cooperating and have not been charged in the case, police said.
The Latest

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.


Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.























