CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyCrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler
9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Thieves stole $1 million in jewelry during a smash-and-grab at 9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey.
Iselin, N.J.—A jewelry store in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery earlier this month, with the perpetrators stealing around $1 million in jewelry.
Just before 8 p.m. on Aug. 8, four masked men wearing all black and armed with sledgehammers rushed into 9lakha Jewelers, according to a statement from the Woodbridge Police Department (WPD).
An additional suspect stayed in the getaway vehicle, and another held the store’s door open, according to surveillance footage shared with ABC 7 New York.
The jeweler’s Instagram page shows that it sells 22-karat gold jewelry and notes that it caters to South Asian families in the United States.
The robbery took under a minute, officials said.
Co-owner Sonu Chauhan, a former IT worker, told ABC 7 that he came to the U.S. in 2007, and poured his savings into the store, which he opened with Sushmita Chauhan a year ago.
The co-owners told ABC 7 they were concerned this might be part of a pattern of thieves targeting South Asian businesses in the area.
Virani Jewelers is 9lakha Jewelers’ neighbor on Oak Tree Road, a South Asian cultural and commercial district home to many family-owned businesses.
Virani Jewelers was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery last July.
The store also was one of several South Asian jewelry businesses hit by a ring of jewelry thieves operating on the East Coast between 2022 and 2023. Sixteen suspects were charged in those thefts in 2023.
Though the targets are similar, officials have not stated that these crimes are connected.
In an email to National Jeweler, a spokesperson for the WPD said it “maintains a very close and engaging relationship with the Oak Tree Road jewelry community and store owners/operators.”
WPD patrol officers and community relations officers routinely meet with the local jewelry store owners.
Since the beginning of the year, the WPD has conducted more than 553 high-visibility special patrols and checks to ensure the security of the jewelers on Oak Tree Road and the surrounding business community, the spokesperson added.
“The WPD recognizes the importance and vitality of the Oak Tree Road business community and has responded to and/or received very few reports concerning criminal activity in the Oak Tree Road/South Asian business community.”
In an email alert mentioning the incident, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said it has recorded 13 similar robberies of stores carrying high-value gold jewelry in New Jersey since May 2025.
Related stories will be right here …
Just before 8 p.m. on Aug. 8, four masked men wearing all black and armed with sledgehammers rushed into 9lakha Jewelers, according to a statement from the Woodbridge Police Department (WPD).
An additional suspect stayed in the getaway vehicle, and another held the store’s door open, according to surveillance footage shared with ABC 7 New York.
The jeweler’s Instagram page shows that it sells 22-karat gold jewelry and notes that it caters to South Asian families in the United States.
The robbery took under a minute, officials said.
Co-owner Sonu Chauhan, a former IT worker, told ABC 7 that he came to the U.S. in 2007, and poured his savings into the store, which he opened with Sushmita Chauhan a year ago.
The co-owners told ABC 7 they were concerned this might be part of a pattern of thieves targeting South Asian businesses in the area.
Virani Jewelers is 9lakha Jewelers’ neighbor on Oak Tree Road, a South Asian cultural and commercial district home to many family-owned businesses.
Virani Jewelers was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery last July.
The store also was one of several South Asian jewelry businesses hit by a ring of jewelry thieves operating on the East Coast between 2022 and 2023. Sixteen suspects were charged in those thefts in 2023.
Though the targets are similar, officials have not stated that these crimes are connected.
In an email to National Jeweler, a spokesperson for the WPD said it “maintains a very close and engaging relationship with the Oak Tree Road jewelry community and store owners/operators.”
WPD patrol officers and community relations officers routinely meet with the local jewelry store owners.
Since the beginning of the year, the WPD has conducted more than 553 high-visibility special patrols and checks to ensure the security of the jewelers on Oak Tree Road and the surrounding business community, the spokesperson added.
“The WPD recognizes the importance and vitality of the Oak Tree Road business community and has responded to and/or received very few reports concerning criminal activity in the Oak Tree Road/South Asian business community.”
In an email alert mentioning the incident, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said it has recorded 13 similar robberies of stores carrying high-value gold jewelry in New Jersey since May 2025.
JSA shared a few tips for jewelers about smash-and-grab robberies.
The top tip is not to resist. The suspects may be armed, and it’s best to stay out of their way.
Consider utilizing showcases with burglary-resistant, laminated glass on the front and sides, and special frames that can withstand a hammer.
“JSA has not seen robbers take retaliatory action when laminated glass is used and robbers are unable to enter a showcase or are able to take only a small amount of merchandise from a small hole,” it said, adding that thieves will often hurt themselves on the glass and leave behind DNA evidence.
An audible glass breakage alarm on your showcases also can scare off robbers.
When setting up showcases, divide up high-end watches and loose diamonds among several cases to hopefully reduce the amount of the loss in a smash-and-grab robbery.
Don’t display the store’s entire inventory of high-target products. Instead, keep some in the safe.
Some jewelers set up tracking devices in jewelry pads and boxes to track stolen merchandise.
JSA added that having a buzzer on the door has prevented numerous robberies.
Consider hiring armed, off-duty police officers or uniformed guards as a deterrent.
When setting up surveillance cameras, opt for eye-level cameras inside and outside the store, including ones trained on cars in the parking lot.
“Ceiling cameras too often capture useless photos of the top of heads or hats,” noted JSA.
Keep a logbook of suspicious incidents and save those surveillance videos, which can aid any subsequent investigations.
Make sure employees are properly trained to spot individuals who are casing the store.
JSA encourages jewelers to share information and photos about casings and suspects with the police and JSA, as well as other local jewelers, to help prevent crime and assist with investigations.
Lastly, jewelry stores located within malls should let mall security know about a pattern of smash-and-grab robberies. Discuss prevention, surveillance coverage, and the protocol to follow if a smash-and-grab occurs.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
