CrimeJun 30, 2022
What JSA’s Annual Report Tells Us About Jewelry Crime in 2021CrimeJul 06, 2022
3 Wanted in Shooting, Smash-and-Grab at Chicago-Area Jewelry Store
The suspects shot a store employee during the robbery, but he has been upgraded from critical to good condition.
Oak Lawn, Ill.—Police in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn, Illinois are searching for three men who committed an armed smash-and-grab robbery at a local jewelry store, shooting and injuring one employee.
According to the Oak Lawn Police Department, the armed robbery happened at 2 p.m. on Friday at Reichman Jewelers, an independent retailer that’s been in operation in the Chicago area since 1908.
Three armed and masked men entered the store, put a gun in the face of the off-duty police officer hired to guard the store and disarmed him before they began smashing the showcases and stealing jewelry.
During the robbery, one of the store’s employees emerged from the back of the shop to confront the robbers and they shot him twice, police said.
The employee, who is one of the store’s two owners, was taken to a local hospital and upgraded from critical-but-stable to good condition over the weekend, his business partner of 40 years, who asked not to be identified by his name, told National Jeweler Tuesday.
Oak Lawn police said one of the suspects was wearing a white T-shirt while another had on a dark hooded sweatshirt. No descriptions were available of the third suspect.
They exited the store and drove off in a silver four-door sedan police believe to be a Chrysler 200 made between 2014 and 2017.
Gerald Vetter, chief of the Oak Lawn Police Department’s Investigations Division, said Tuesday they have no updates on their search for the offenders and the Reichman Jewelers armed robbery remains an active investigation.
Police are asking local residents and businesses to check the footage on any video surveillance systems between 1 and 2:15 p.m. on Friday for the suspects’ vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Oak Lawn detectives at 708-907-4051.
According to the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, there has been only one industry homicide so far this year, 60-year-old Arasb Shoughi, who was beaten with a metal rod during a robbery in his Queens, New York jewelry store in late March and died three weeks later.
Police arrested and charged 48-year-old Rondolfo Lopez-Portillo in the case.
However, JSA has seen an increase in the violence and frequency of jewelry crimes across the board this year, particularly in smash-and-grab robberies and assaults, JSA President John Kennedy said in an interview last week.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
The ‘Fabergé x Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Collection is Scary ChicIt’s showtime for these jewels, inspired by the motifs and color palette of the new Tim Burton film.
FinancialsSep 06, 2024
Movado Lowers Guidance as Q2 Sales SlipCEO Efraim Grinberg pointed to a challenging consumer spending environment, particularly in the watch category.
CollectionsSep 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lizzie Mandler’s ‘Liquid Gold’ HoopsInspired by a 19th century sculpture, Mandler transformed gold into liquid for these earrings.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
CollectionsSep 05, 2024
Bella Hadid Is Chopard’s New Brand AmbassadorThe model and entrepreneur stars in two new Chopard campaigns.
Weekly QuizSep 05, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8BMembers of the founding family partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to possibly take Nordstrom private.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Elsa Peretti’s Bone CuffThe iconic design has joined a lineup of notable pieces featured in the jeweler’s “With Love, Since 1837” campaign.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Former Chopard, Frederique Constant Executive Tapped to Head CadarRalph Simons is now CEO of the jewelry brand started by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband, Avraham Kadar, in 2015.
ColumnistsSep 04, 2024
Creative Connecting: Why ‘Experience Content’ Matters Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen say it’s all about giving your social media feeds a human touch.
TrendsSep 04, 2024
Taylor Hill, Soo Joo Park Star in New Messika CampaignThe models and friends of founder and artistic designer Valérie Messika showcase the brand’s jewelry in the “Back to Icons” campaign.
MajorsSep 04, 2024
Bloomingdale’s to Highlight Italian Jewelry in New Campaign“From Italy, With Love” will showcase Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, and other Italian brands.
CollectionsSep 03, 2024
Zales, Prince Debut US Open-Inspired CollectionThe jewelry retailer will also have a diamond-set tennis racket on display at the tournament.
IndependentsSep 03, 2024
Ylang 23 Relocates, Expands Dallas FlagshipThe retailer has moved into a 3,200-square-foot space at The Shops of Highland Park.
TrendsSep 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Sapphires for SeptemberThe month’s birthstone is vibrant in every color.
WatchesAug 30, 2024
Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic WatchesThe special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.
CollectionsAug 30, 2024
Piece of the Week: K. Brunini Jewels’ Butterfly RingFly away with designer Katey Brunini’s butterfly ring, as its spring-loaded wings flutter above your fingers.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
Brilliant Earth Promotes Two Executives to C-Suite RolesThe jewelry retailer has a new chief brand officer and chief operations officer.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
SourcingAug 29, 2024
Lotus Gemology Publishes Book on Jade History“Broken Bangle: The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature” is an in-depth look at the evolution of jade terminology.
SourcingAug 29, 2024
De Beers Looks to India to Boost Demand for Natural Diamonds It is partnering with retailer Tanishq on educating salespeople, shaping the in-store experience, and a “360-degree” marketing campaign.
SurveysAug 28, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises in August Despite Labor Market WorriesInflation remained a top concern among survey-takers who included write-in responses.
TechnologyAug 28, 2024
Verizon Throws Its Hat in the Ring on Smart Rings The wireless carrier is now stocking the Ultrahuman Ring Air in select U.S. stores.
CollectionsAug 28, 2024
Pamela Love’s ‘Jardin’ Collection Is Filled With Lush Green EmeraldsIn a collaboration with Muzo, Pamela Love hand-selected each Colombian emerald for eight one-of-a-kind pieces.
MajorsAug 28, 2024
Stuller Named ‘Great Place to Work’The certification is based on employee responses about their experience working at a company.
Policies & IssuesAug 27, 2024
US to Allow Import of ‘Legacy’ Diamonds From RussiaOFAC has issued two licenses addressing the issue, one for diamond-set jewelry and one for loose diamonds.
GradingAug 27, 2024
IGI Files for IPO in IndiaThe gemological lab is looking to raise up to $477 million.
