CrimeAug 03, 2026
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Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s Home
Four men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
These four men were arrested and charged in connection with the break-in of a jeweler’s home in Indiana. (Image courtesy of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance)
Fishers, Ind.—Four men are facing charges after allegedly breaking into the home of a jeweler in Indiana and taking off with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
The suspects allegedly used saws to cut through the side of the home—using a leaf blower to mask the sound of the saws—and gain access to the master bedroom, according to an alert sent out by the Jewelers’ Security Alliance last week.
David Torres Martinez, Sebastian Rodriguez Menjura, Wilson Mendez, and Sebastian Martinez have been arrested and charged with burglary, theft, and criminal vandalism.
Officials believe the victims, who were not home at the time, were targeted because they own a jewelry store.
Rodriguez Menjura admitted to officials that the group had been surveilling the jewelers for about two weeks, said JSA, following them around to observe their daily routines.
The thieves got away with $300,000 dollars in cash, $65,000 in jewelry, and other designer goods.
This type of burglary is common among South American Theft Groups (SATG), said officials in court documents obtained by local news. The suspects were said to be Colombian nationals.
"It is known by law enforcement that SATG burglary crews will have unique entry points on a victim’s residence/business to avoid security alarms, [and] conduct victim surveillance. The primary victim profiles were identified as wealthy, high-end homes, Indian/Asian business owners, and/or jewelry store owners,” said officials.
It is believed that up to seven people were involved in the crime, said JSA, and police are still on the lookout for the remaining three.
“When someone is victimized in our community, we take it personal. We will use every resource and every tool available to track down criminals and hold them accountable,” said Sgt. Angela Ellison in a statement to National Jeweler.
Related stories will be right here …
The suspects allegedly used saws to cut through the side of the home—using a leaf blower to mask the sound of the saws—and gain access to the master bedroom, according to an alert sent out by the Jewelers’ Security Alliance last week.
David Torres Martinez, Sebastian Rodriguez Menjura, Wilson Mendez, and Sebastian Martinez have been arrested and charged with burglary, theft, and criminal vandalism.
Officials believe the victims, who were not home at the time, were targeted because they own a jewelry store.
Rodriguez Menjura admitted to officials that the group had been surveilling the jewelers for about two weeks, said JSA, following them around to observe their daily routines.
The thieves got away with $300,000 dollars in cash, $65,000 in jewelry, and other designer goods.
This type of burglary is common among South American Theft Groups (SATG), said officials in court documents obtained by local news. The suspects were said to be Colombian nationals.
"It is known by law enforcement that SATG burglary crews will have unique entry points on a victim’s residence/business to avoid security alarms, [and] conduct victim surveillance. The primary victim profiles were identified as wealthy, high-end homes, Indian/Asian business owners, and/or jewelry store owners,” said officials.
It is believed that up to seven people were involved in the crime, said JSA, and police are still on the lookout for the remaining three.
“When someone is victimized in our community, we take it personal. We will use every resource and every tool available to track down criminals and hold them accountable,” said Sgt. Angela Ellison in a statement to National Jeweler.
In light of the event, JSA shared a few home security tips.
Jewelers should stay alert when opening and closing their store to be sure they are not being followed home.
Switching up the travel route to and from one’s business can make it harder for criminals to pin down a routine.
Organized burglary groups employ surveillance tactics. Jewelers should look out for cameras placed near residences and GPS trackers attached to vehicles to monitor movement.
Jewelers should also invest in security measures, such as surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and exterior lighting.
Watch out for suspicious activity around one’s home, like unfamiliar vehicles or people wearing construction vests with no apparent work going on. Report concerns to local law enforcement agencies.
Lastly, consider bringing home a furry friend as dogs can deter burglars.
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