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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
