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.
CrimeJan 04, 2016
Female Bandit Now Suspect in Sixth Armed Robbery
The woman wanted for tying up jewelry store employees at gunpoint before emptying the showcases has struck again, authorities believe, this time at a jewelry store in North Carolina.
Security camera footage shows the female suspect wanted in connection with multiple armed robberies. She is believed to be in her 20s, 5-foot 8-inches tall and 130 pounds with long, straight brown hair that she recently dyed darker.
Mebane, N.C.--The woman wanted in connection with jewelry store robberies in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee has allegedly struck again in the Southeast.
According to a crime alert circulated late Monday afternoon by the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, the female armed robbery suspect entered a jewelry store in Mebane, N.C. at 10:30 a.m. Monday, ordered a male and a female employee into the back room, and restrained them with zip ties. She then proceeded to empty the store’s showcases.
The JSA said the woman, who is believed to have a male accomplice who does not enter the stores with her, might be using a four-door dark-colored Toyota Camry with a temporary paper license plate for transportation. She also has dyed her hair a few shades darker and wears an earpiece authorities believe she uses to communicate with her accomplice.
Prior to Monday’s robbery, the suspect was spotted in a jewelry store in Macon, Ga. on Dec. 30.
The JSA advises that anyone who sees this woman in their store call 911 immediately.
The armed female robber first struck in August, robbing a Zales store in Dawsonville, Ga. before also hitting jewelry stores in Panama City, Fla. and Bluffton, S.C. She also is wanted for an armed robbery that took place in October at a jewelry store in Sevierville, Tenn. and has been tied to an additional case in Woodstock, Ga.
Losses from these crimes total more than $4 million at retail.
At the time news of the female robber first surfaced, the JSA called the case “unprecedented.”
Whether it’s just men or men working with female accomplices, most jewelry store armed robberies are pulled off by two or more individuals.
Rarely does the industry see a lone armed robber, and never is that robber a woman. In fact, JSA President John J. Kennedy said in his 23 years with the organization, he has never seen a woman commit an armed jewelry store robbery by herself.
Monday’s robbery in Mebane marked the first time she pulled off a robbery at a store where a male sales associate was working.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact FBI Special Agent Lawrence Borghini at 850-770-1619 or the JSA at 212-687-0328.
The JSA is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the armed female robber. The alliance’s reward hotline is 800-325-1883.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
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.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
