CrimeOct 24, 2023
Philadelphia Jeweler Followed Home, Robbed of Luxury Watch CrimeNov 22, 2023
JSA Warns of Surge in Attacks on Jewelers on the Road
There have been eight attacks in the last month, spanning from a jewelry store parking lot in Rhode Island to highways in California.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said jewelers and traveling jewelry salespeople need to be on alert amid a rise in off-premises attacks and be vigilant about any alerts from their alarm companies.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance issued two alerts ahead of the long holiday weekend urging jewelers to take caution while traveling with merchandise and reminding them to respond to all alarms at their stores.
In the first alert, issued Monday, the organization said there have been eight crimes committed against jewelers and traveling jewelry salespeople between Oct. 16 and Nov. 16.
These attacks have been taking place from coast to coast.
According to JSA, these incidences include a jeweler being followed by a suspect on a scooter and robbed in Queens, New York, on Oct. 16; a traveling salesperson who had their trunk lock cut and a large amount of merchandise stolen while in the parking lot of a jewelry store on Nov. 1 in Providence, Rhode Island; and two robberies involving suspects crashing into jewelers’ cars in California.
The first crash took place Oct. 24, when four gang members deliberately crashed into the vehicle of a salesman from Hong Kong on the I-10 in Los Angeles.
JSA said the suspects swarmed the damaged car and stole merchandise while the salesman was on his knees with his arms raised.
The second happened Nov. 16 on the I-405 in Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles. The suspects hit two cars on the freeway before robbing a jewelry store employee and taking off in a different vehicle, a white Ford Explorer, JSA said.
Related stories will be right here …
In the first alert, issued Monday, the organization said there have been eight crimes committed against jewelers and traveling jewelry salespeople between Oct. 16 and Nov. 16.
These attacks have been taking place from coast to coast.
According to JSA, these incidences include a jeweler being followed by a suspect on a scooter and robbed in Queens, New York, on Oct. 16; a traveling salesperson who had their trunk lock cut and a large amount of merchandise stolen while in the parking lot of a jewelry store on Nov. 1 in Providence, Rhode Island; and two robberies involving suspects crashing into jewelers’ cars in California.
The first crash took place Oct. 24, when four gang members deliberately crashed into the vehicle of a salesman from Hong Kong on the I-10 in Los Angeles.
JSA said the suspects swarmed the damaged car and stole merchandise while the salesman was on his knees with his arms raised.
The second happened Nov. 16 on the I-405 in Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles. The suspects hit two cars on the freeway before robbing a jewelry store employee and taking off in a different vehicle, a white Ford Explorer, JSA said.
Crimes against jewelers and other jewelry industry personnel hit record levels in 2022, as both the number of incidences and dollars losses rose considerably.
This included an increase in what JSA classifies as off-premises crimes, defined as an attack that occurs away from the victim’s business base of operations.
The organization recorded 65 cases of off-premises attacks in 2022, nearly double the number from 2021.
On Monday, JSA reminded jewelers of some the tips it has shared in the past for reducing risk and losses while on the road with jewelry.
They include jewelers: taking evasive action, whether walking or driving, when leaving a sales call; not leaving merchandise in an unattended vehicle; considering themselves a crime target if they suddenly have a flat tire or their car is overheating; and shipping merchandise after trade shows, if possible.
JSA also noted that jewelers need to be skeptical of all strangers who approach them when they are carrying merchandise.
According to JSA, on Oct. 17, a woman approached a jeweler who was filling up at a gas station in Miami to ask for his assistance in pumping gas. Suspects opened his trunk and stole jewelry while he was “helping” the woman.
JSA’s second alert came Tuesday, reminding jewelers about the risk of burglaries over holiday periods, like the approaching Thanksgiving weekend.
The organization said if jewelers receive an alert from their alarm company over the long holiday weekend, they or an employee must respond with the police.
Stores should also make sure their list of contacts filed with the alarm company is up to date and includes enough people so someone is reachable over the holiday weekend.
When they do respond, they and the police must examine all possible points of entry, including the roof, sidewalls, and any way to get into the store through a neighboring business.
JSA President John Kennedy spoke about the increase in off-premises attacks and the need for jewelers to respond to any and all alarm signals on a recent episode of “My Next Question,” National Jeweler and Jewelers of America’s webinar series.
Watch the full webinar, “How to Protect Your Store This Holiday Season,” here.
The organization said if jewelers receive an alert from their alarm company over the long holiday weekend, they or an employee must respond with the police.
Stores should also make sure their list of contacts filed with the alarm company is up to date and includes enough people so someone is reachable over the holiday weekend.
When they do respond, they and the police must examine all possible points of entry, including the roof, sidewalls, and any way to get into the store through a neighboring business.
JSA President John Kennedy spoke about the increase in off-premises attacks and the need for jewelers to respond to any and all alarm signals on a recent episode of “My Next Question,” National Jeweler and Jewelers of America’s webinar series.
Watch the full webinar, “How to Protect Your Store This Holiday Season,” here.
More on Crime
The Latest
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
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.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
