FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
CrimeFeb 19, 2020
4 Arrested in Louisiana Believed to Be Part of Larger Ring
The men taken into custody for a jewelry store robbery in Hammond, Louisiana are potentially connected to a string of smash-and-grabs in Texas.
Hammond, La.—Police have arrested four men potentially connected to a string of smash-and-grab robberies across eastern Texas after they allegedly hit another jewelry store in Louisiana.
The Hammond (Louisiana) Police Department announced via its Facebook page that the robbery happened at about 5:15 p.m. Thursday.
Three men wearing hoodies entered the city’s Kay Jewelers store and destroyed jewelry cases with a sledgehammer, grabbing nearly $70,000 in merchandise, police said. They fled the store in a waiting white Toyota Avalon with temporary Texas plates.
A bystander was able to snap a photo of the suspects’ vehicle as it sped from the scene.
Police said a description of the men and the vehicle were quickly disseminated to other police departments along the I-12 corridor, which runs east to west in Louisiana from Slidell to Baton Rouge.
At about 6 p.m., Baton Rouge police stopped a car heading west on I-12—toward Texas—that matched the description of the car seen fleeing the scene.
They took four suspects into custody: 43-year-old Ellis Gholson of Houston; Kameron McCoy, 21, of Houston; 22-year-old Frederick Gibson Jr. of Fresno, Texas; and Travion Walker, 29, of Houston.
Police said all four men have been charged with armed robbery.
WATCH: Hammond Police Chief on the Jewelry Store Robbery
In an interview with local station ActionNews 17, Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said officers did not recover any of the $69,000 in merchandise stolen from the Kay Jewelers store.
He said it is believed there was a “tail vehicle” and the suspects passed off the jewelry to its occupant or occupants.
“We believe this a fairly sophisticated operation that’s running in a multi-state area,” Bergeron said.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy agrees.
He said it is a “good working theory” that the four suspects arrested last Thursday in Louisiana are connected to a recent string of five smash-and-grabs in Texas, which JSA warned jewelers about in its most recent alert.
The Texas smash-and-grabs happened in a span of less than two weeks and, like the Hammond robbery, some involved taking out showcases with sledgehammers.
According to JSA, the first took place Jan. 31 around 3 p.m. at a jewelry store in San Antonio. The second occurred a few days later in Texas City, a town about 250 miles to the east in the Houston metropolitan area.
On Feb. 6, three suspects allegedly hit another jewelry store in
San Antonio, this time destroying showcases with a sledgehammer.
The fourth Texas smash-and-grab happened Feb. 9, JSA said, at a Houston jewelry store around 4 p.m.
About an hour later that same day, two men entered and robbed a jewelry store in nearby Sugar Land using a sledgehammer.
Bergeron said federal law enforcement and multiple city and state agencies are now looking into these robberies, and said he expects “a lot of people will [be brought] down,” as a result of the arrest in Baton Rouge.
The JSA has a list of recommendations for jewelers when it comes to smash-and-grab robberies.
It includes the following.
1. Don’t resist. In addition to sledgehammers and other potentially dangerous tools, the perpetrators could have guns.
2. Having showcases with burglary-resistant laminated glass and special frames can prevent and reduce large losses. Robbers will be unable to get into the showcase or will only be able to create a small hole, limiting the amount of merchandise they can take. Also, suspects frequently cut themselves while reaching into these small holes, leaving DNA behind.
3. Having audible glass breakage alarms on showcases can scare away smash-and-grab robbers. Most of them are trying to get out of the store in under a minute.
4. Hiring armed, off-duty police officers can be a deterrent, and having buzzers on the door can help keep out potential robbers as well.
5. Spreading out high-end watches and loose diamonds among several showcases can help reduce losses in the event of a smash-and-grab robbery.
The fourth Texas smash-and-grab happened Feb. 9, JSA said, at a Houston jewelry store around 4 p.m.
About an hour later that same day, two men entered and robbed a jewelry store in nearby Sugar Land using a sledgehammer.
Bergeron said federal law enforcement and multiple city and state agencies are now looking into these robberies, and said he expects “a lot of people will [be brought] down,” as a result of the arrest in Baton Rouge.
The JSA has a list of recommendations for jewelers when it comes to smash-and-grab robberies.
It includes the following.
1. Don’t resist. In addition to sledgehammers and other potentially dangerous tools, the perpetrators could have guns.
2. Having showcases with burglary-resistant laminated glass and special frames can prevent and reduce large losses. Robbers will be unable to get into the showcase or will only be able to create a small hole, limiting the amount of merchandise they can take. Also, suspects frequently cut themselves while reaching into these small holes, leaving DNA behind.
3. Having audible glass breakage alarms on showcases can scare away smash-and-grab robbers. Most of them are trying to get out of the store in under a minute.
4. Hiring armed, off-duty police officers can be a deterrent, and having buzzers on the door can help keep out potential robbers as well.
5. Spreading out high-end watches and loose diamonds among several showcases can help reduce losses in the event of a smash-and-grab robbery.
More on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
