CrimeAug 19, 2022
Suspects Use Bear Spray on NY Jewelry Store Employees During Robbery CrimeNov 18, 2022
Jewelry Store Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery
Police in Calumet City, Illinois are looking for several suspects involved in the robbery of a jewelry store in the River Oaks Mall.
Police are searching for suspects involved in a the fatal armed robbery in of a jewelry store in Calumet City, Illinois, a town located about an hour south of Chicago.
Calumet City, Ill.—Police in Calumet City, Illinois, are on the lookout for several suspects after a jewelry store security guard was shot and killed Wednesday during an armed robbery.
The 57-year-old security guard, whose name has not yet been released, was killed during a robbery of an unnamed jewelry store inside the River Oaks Mall.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Calumet City Police Chief Kevin Kolosh shared more details about the incident.
He said the officers responded to reports of shots fired at 12:15 p.m.
Several officers were already near the scene at the time because they were attending an active shooter training session in an adjacent building, according to a report by ABC7 Chicago.
Upon arrival, officers found a male security guard with multiple gunshot wounds, Kolosh said. They performed life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.
The guard was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
A second male victim, 81, was treated on the scene for a minor hand injury due to broken glass.
Related stories will be right here …
The 57-year-old security guard, whose name has not yet been released, was killed during a robbery of an unnamed jewelry store inside the River Oaks Mall.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Calumet City Police Chief Kevin Kolosh shared more details about the incident.
He said the officers responded to reports of shots fired at 12:15 p.m.
Several officers were already near the scene at the time because they were attending an active shooter training session in an adjacent building, according to a report by ABC7 Chicago.
Upon arrival, officers found a male security guard with multiple gunshot wounds, Kolosh said. They performed life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.
The guard was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
A second male victim, 81, was treated on the scene for a minor hand injury due to broken glass.
Though Kolosh did not publicly confirm the number of suspects, a surveillance video shared by CBS Chicago shows three individuals in dark clothing inside the store, breaking open display cases.
The mall initiated lockdown procedures for over an hour as police searched the mall, but no arrests were made.
Witnesses told police the suspects left the mall and drove away. The amount of merchandise stolen and the worth is unknown.
Following the search, police escorted employees and shoppers out of the building.
The mall will remain closed until further notice.
Calumet City spokesman Sean Howard joined the press conference to note that there have been ongoing security concerns at the mall.
“We’ve been in constant talks about taking over this mall for a variety of reasons, but particularly for safety and security,” he said.
“The residents here have a very negative opinion of this mall. It has a very bad stigma attached.”
The investigation is ongoing, led by the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and Calumet City detectives.
More on Crime
The Latest
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
