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CrimeJan 31, 2019
JSA Reports Jewelry Robbery Spikes in California, Colorado
A string of crimes over the past two weeks have rocked jewelry stores in both states.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has reported a rash of jewelry robberies in two separate states.
In an alert sent Wednesday, the JSA warned of three gunpoint robberies that occurred between Jan. 25 and 29 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and eight smash-and-grab robberies between Jan. 12 and 22 across southern California.
In Colorado Springs, two armed suspects entered a jewelry store on Jan. 25 at noon. The JSA said one suspect hit an employee on the head before the duo made off with merchandise.
Later that day, four suspects—two with handguns—entered another jewelry store in the city, ordered store employees and customers to lie on the floor, then smashed showcases to remove the jewelry inside. They were out of the store within 30 seconds.
Four days later, five masked suspects entered another Colorado Springs jewelry store shortly after it opened.
The JSA said this time, one of the suspects fired a shot inside. The suspects smashed five showcases, removing their contents and clearing out the safe.
In southern California, the 10-day streak of smash-and-grab robberies started on Jan. 12, when two masked suspects robbed a San Diego store.
On Jan. 15, three suspects robbed a store in Whittier and on Jan. 18, three masked suspects hit a store in Pico Rivera, fleeing in a silver Hyundai Sonata.
That same day, four suspects—three male and one female—robbed a store in Los Angeles, assaulting the owner with a hammer before fleeing in a silver Lexus.
On Jan. 19, three masked suspects robbed a store in San Diego and on Jan. 20, three suspects armed with pepper spray robbed a San Bernadino store.
Then, on Jan. 21, seven suspects entered a Cerritos jewelry store and ordered sales associate and customers to lie on the floor before they began smashing showcases and clearing out merchandise. They left the scene in two separate vehicles.
The JSA said the final of the eight smash-and-grabs occurred on Jan. 22 at an Artesia store. There are five suspects wanted in that robbery.
The JSA outlined several measures jewelers can take to minimize their risk of robbery and stay safe if it happens.
The alliance recommends hiring armed, off-duty police offers and having entryway buzzers to deter robbers.
Jewelers should spread their high-end merchandise across several showcases to minimize potential losses in smash-and-grabs, and invest in burglary-resistant,
laminated glass and special frames that make them more difficult to break.
Showcase glass breakage alarms also can scare robbers away.
Most importantly, jewelry store owners and employees shouldn’t resist in the event of a robbery as suspects can be armed.
Showcase glass breakage alarms also can scare robbers away.
Most importantly, jewelry store owners and employees shouldn’t resist in the event of a robbery as suspects can be armed.
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