Police Investigating More Than a Dozen Smash-and-Grab Robberies in NJ
They’ve occurred at jewelry stores across the state over the first two weekends in June, said officials.

As of last week, a dozen jewelry stores had been robbed over the first two weekends of June, according to an ABC7 report, with at least one more occurring this week.
On June 12, the Union Police Department responded to a call from Union Jewelers Exchange’s alarm company at 3:58 a.m.
Surveillance video shows four masked men using a tire iron and sledgehammer to break the door, enter the store and smash the showcases, leaving with jewelry estimated to be worth thousands.
“We had officers across the street at the time, and they got there within minutes,” Union Police Deputy Chief Scott Breslow told ABC7, adding officers spotted a white Jeep Cherokee exiting the parking lot.
The officers followed the Jeep to Newark, but then lost it. After checking out the license plate number, it led them to the house of a person who was missing their license plate.
Breslow said the Jeep seen on surveillance tape, as well as its license plate, likely are stolen.
The robberies have all occurred in a similar fashion, said Breslow, with the thieves smashing through the door, windows and showcases, then fleeing with the items.
Many of the robberies have occurred overnight and involved a similar white Jeep Cherokee.
At 4:14 a.m. on June 12, around 15 minutes after the robbery in Union, the Maplewood Police Department responded to an alarm activation at Trimarco Jewelers, the department said in a statement.
Officers noted broken front door windows and an unspecified amount of missing gold jewelry.
“Similar incidents have occurred in other nearby jurisdictions and the Maplewood Police Detective Bureau is working closely with these departments,” the department said, adding it can’t share further details as it is an active investigation.
Another smash-and-grab robbery occurred at Bentley’s Jewelers in Hillsborough on Tuesday around 2:45 a.m., according to a local report.
Jewelry stores in Scotch Plains, Linden, Woodbridge, Middletown, Eatontown, Green Brook, Hainesport, Robbinsville, Long Branch, and Westfield have all been victims of smash-and-grab robberies as well.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance reported earlier this month that jewelry crime hit an all-time high in 2022, with smash-and-grab robberies one of the categories driving the increase.
JSA said a total of 169 smash-and-grab robberies were reported to the organization last year, nearly double the number in 2021.
The Latest

Notable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.

Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.

After experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.

It is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.


The retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.

Hill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.

From sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.

The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

Alexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.

The superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.

Retailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.

The nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.

Five dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.

Recently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.























