JSA Warns of ‘Pandemic’ of Distraction Thefts Nationwide
It cited two recent cases in California, plus incidents in Florida, Kansas, and Illinois.

According to JSA, at 7:10 p.m. on June 15, the four suspects pictured below (click to enlarge) stole gold bracelets and a gold nugget from a jewelry store in Santa Monica, California.
Some of the same suspects allegedly participated in another distraction theft the day before, this one at a jewelry store in Newport Beach.

Previously, JSA warned of two “very active” teams of Roma distraction thieves.
The first team, pictured at left below (click to enlarge), allegedly stole a gold pendant from a jewelry store in Winter Park, Florida, on March 10; a necklace in Westmont, Illinois on May 14; and two rings and a watch from a store in Lawrence, Kansas on May 18.

The second team has two suspects, one of whom JSA identified as Marioara Munteanu.
She and a male accomplice allegedly committed distraction thefts in Wichita Falls, Texas on April 13, in the Utah cities of Lehi and Logan on May 24, and in Missoula, Montana.
This is not the first time JSA has mentioned Munteanu’s name as a suspect in a distraction theft. She was in the organization’s Feb. 22 and March 22 crime alerts as well.
This included a case in which three people worked together to steal a tray of 112 diamond rings from a store in New York City’s Diamond District.
JSA shared tips for preventing or mitigating distraction thefts and their related losses. They include the following.
1. Three or more individuals entering the store together is a red flag.
2. Show only one item at a time and return it to the showcase when finished. Do not let customers distract from this habit by flashing cash or asking questions.
3. Employees should always know the location of the merchandise they are showing or have shown.
Anyone with information on the above suspects and/or crimes is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
The Latest

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

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

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.


The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

Sponsored by Instappraise

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

The company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.