AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CrimeDec 18, 2018
Industry saw smash-and-grab ‘explosion’ in 2014
While overall jewelry crime continued to trend downward in 2014, there was a spike in the number of smash-and-grab robberies due primarily to two large gangs.
New York-- While overall jewelry crime continued to trend downward in 2014, there was a spike in the number of smash-and-grab robberies due primarily to two large gangs, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said.
According to the JSA’s annual report, released Thursday, the report shows that the number of smash-and-grab robberies reported to the JSA rose 77 percent in 2014, from 62 to 110.
JSA President John J. Kennedy said he doesn’t believe the industry has ever seen so many smash-and-grabs in a single year. “This is really an explosion,” he said.
Many the work of two large and likely unrelated gangs, one based in Detroit and the other in California, these crimes continued through the first two months of the year but have slowed recently, due in part to the indictment of 17 individuals alleged to be part of the Detroit smash-and-grab ring, Kennedy said.
He said the two gangs perpetrating these crimes are huge--there are believed to be as many as 80 individuals involved in the Detroit area, including the 17 just indicted--and have a couple of experienced ringleaders who use money to lure non-experienced criminals in to do one or two jobs.
The robberies, where the perpetrators take heavy-weight hammers to display cases then grab the merchandise, targeted primarily cases of loose diamonds and high-end watches, pushing the total dollars losses for 2014 to $77.8 million, a 17 percent increase over the prior year.
They also plagued more mall jewelers than any other type of retailers in 2014, the JSA’s report shows. Of the 110 smash-and-grab robberies reported to the JSA in 2014, nearly half, 49, happened in mall jewelry stores.
A total of 26 happened in standalone stores, 13 in stores located in strip shopping centers, 12 in downtown stores, 6 in department stores and one in a jewelry store located in a hotel. (The location of three of the 110 was unknown.)
Kennedy said while it might seem counter-intuitive to go to a crowded mall to perpetrate such a visible crime, the robbers case the mall beforehand, perhaps selecting a store that’s close to an exit, and bank on being able to blend into the mall traffic after leaving the jewelry store. In addition, fewer mall stores have buzzers on their doors, making them easier targets.
To guard against smash-and-grabs, Kennedy said jewelers need to have buzzers on the door, which
can be a deterrent, and laminated glass in sturdy display cases. It also helps to have high-quality functioning cameras, to watch for people casing the store and to share information with other jewelers about anyone deemed suspicious.
“We have seen that if they can’t get (to the jewelry by) smashing the showcase, then they leave,” Kennedy said, adding that while these types of showcases might be expensive, they are worth it for stores carrying high-end merchandise.
While smash-and-grab robberies increased in 2014, industry crime was down overall.
The total number of crimes reported to the JSA decreased from 1,414 in 2013 to 1,381 in 2014, a 2 percent decline.
As mentioned, dollar losses increased year-over-year because of the smash-and-grab thefts of diamonds and high-end watches, but have been steadily dropping for years along with overall crime. Dollar losses are down 43 percent over the last 10 years when adjusted for inflation.
Other noteworthy statistics from the report include the following.
--The number of homicides of jewelers fell from five in 2013 to three in 2014.
-- There were two home invasions of retail jewelers, compared with three in 2013. After spiking in recent years, “tiger kidnappings,” incidences where jewelers are cased, then followed and attacked away from their store, have subsided in the past couple years.
--Multi-branch firms, retail chains and department stores experienced the lion’s share of thefts (grab-and-run, distraction thefts, switches, etc.) at 60 percent while independent jewelers had more robberies (64 percent) and burglaries (78 percent).
--Rooftop burglaries were up 6 percent year-over-year, with Florida the most active state for this crime. Three-minute burglaries, which are named for the amount of time they take to commit, were down 33 percent. The JSA noted that both of these types of crime occur when jewelry is left out in showcases overnight.
A PDF of the JSA’s entire 2014 report is available via JewelersSecurity.org.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
