Crime

Jewelry Crime Continues to Drop

CrimeAug 04, 2016

Jewelry Crime Continues to Drop

The number of crimes has totaled 528 through the first six months of the year, a 6 percent decline from the same period last year.


New York--The mid-year report from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance shows that jewelry crime is continuing its decline this year.

There have been a total of 528 crimes perpetrated against jewelers, jewelry stores and traveling jewelry salesmen in January through June 2016, compared with 562 in the same period last year. That’s a 6 percent drop.

Dollar losses fell in lockstep, declining 7 percent, from $33.2 million to $30.8 million.

There was one homicide in the first six months of the year, the June murder of traveling jewelry salesman Muhammed Shaikh, 42.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Shaikh was at a gas station near the Dallas airport when he saw several people breaking into his rental car. When he confronted them, he was forced into another vehicle and driven off, and later found dead about two miles away.

In an interview with National Jeweler on Wednesday, JSA President John Kennedy said Dallas and Houston currently are “areas of concern,” as there are gangs operating there who are going after traveling salesmen.

Shortly after Shaikh’s murder, another traveling jewelry salesman was targeted in a gas station parking lot but managed to escape.

“It’s dangerous in that area at this moment for traveling salespeople,” Kennedy said.

On a category-by-category basis, crime was down across the board, with the exception of thefts.

The number of robberies (robberies involve the taking of property through the use of force or fear) dropped mostly sharply, declining 31 percent year-over-year. There were 132 robberies by this point last year and only 91 this year.

The number of off-premises crimes, which includes attacks against traveling salesmen, fell from 21 to 18, while burglaries were down 5 percent, from 115 to 109.

But while the overall number of burglaries has fallen so far this year, Kennedy said there have been an “unusual” number involving the suspects breaking into stores in the middle of the night by driving a vehicle into them. There have been 11 such incidences so far this year, compared with just two in 2015.

He said it is unclear at this point if these crimes are being perpetrated by a specific group or are unrelated.

The JSA recommends that jewelers have planters or stanchions installed outside their stores, if they are able to do so.

Declining along with the number of crimes so far this year is the number of arrests. They’ve dropped from 209 to 132,
but have included a few high-profile apprehensions, including the armed female robber and the arrest of the majority of the members of a smash-and-grab crew operating in California.

Kennedy said the drop in industry crime is attributable to a number of factors, chief among them the increased interest law enforcement agencies have in investigating jewelry crimes, which can be tied to money laundering, and, in turn, linked to terrorism.

Also helping is technology, which has made it easier to share information, and the increased cooperation between the industry and law enforcement agencies.

It’s also worth noting that there are fewer jewelry stores today and far fewer traveling salesmen, a major target for criminals.

Thefts, the only category of crime to see an increase, rose 5 percent, from 294 to 310. Theft is the taking of property without the use force or fear and includes grab-and-runs, switches, credit card fraud, and distraction and sneak thefts.

JSA received reports of 187 grab-and-runs in retail jewelry stores, 49 distraction thefts and 36 sneak thefts through the first six months of the year.

Kennedy said jewelers need to keep their showcases locked, except when taking out product and putting it back in, and avoid showing too much product at one time. Don’t, for example, pull out multiple watches or bring out an entire tray of rings, he said.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Wedding, Jacob & Co. Watch
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White Metals

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

HRD Antwerp CEO Paul De Wachter
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEO

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift Kallati sapphire ring
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire Ring

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

gia-edu main image.png
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Online education from GIA experts.

Boucheron Quatre Sand Collection
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed Sand

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Neil Lane and Boucheron bow tie brooch
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

Just Jules opal necklace
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful Show

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

reDollar-fine-jewelry-department.jpg
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment Program

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Peter Smith National Jeweler columnist
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-Reflection

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Plah Black Swan Earrings
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From Vicenzaoro

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.

Gemfields rough emeralds
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%

Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.

Pandora executives Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell John Hardy Lovestruck Collection
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John Hardy

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.

Spinelli Kilcollin Market Highland Park
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in Dallas

The brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.

Nina Pugliese Henne Jewelers
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65

She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.

Kwait White and Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear Focus

Move over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.

Mark Henry Leandra Medine Cohen
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in Canada

The New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.

Overnight volume 7 bridal catalog
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal Catalog

The “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.

Hand holding holiday shopping bags
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard Says

Holiday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.

Austin Shines Jewelry Award
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced

Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.

Kwit Square Signet Pinky Ring in Red and Azure
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky Ring

The red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.

Jewelers of America Fly In
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-In

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

Entrance to Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers

Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.

Kira Jewels Growing Rowing Machines
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond Production

The manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.

Alex Moss SoHo store
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHo

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

Matthew Wilson, Kavin Kulamavalava, and a Elmasolvex VA
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New York

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy