| Crime Reported | No Crime Reported |
The increased severity of smash-and-grab and armed robbery attempts continues to remain prevalent across North America, but some crimes in April have followed similar patterns.
In Georgia, sales associates have been zip-tied during numerous robberies dating back to 2013 and surveillance images appear to capture the same suspects involved in these incidents. In Hawaii, six jewelry stores have been targeted over a six week span and in several of these cases, media reports noted that after the daytime crimes occurred, the getaway vehicles were later abandoned.
In addition to the continued threat of robbery, grab-and-run thefts have been as prevalent in April as in the first few months of 2017, as noted by reports from the Jewelers' Security Alliance. In fact, one theft suspect has been spotted operating in three different states.
Here's a breakdown of the latest jewelry crime report:
Data compiled from jewelerssecurity.org
Take an in-depth look at five particular crimes, with tips that every jeweler can learn from. Visit JSA's daily blog to get a full recap of all the crimes that have recently occurred.
| When | Where | What |
| Saturday, April 29 | Simpsonville, KY | Grab-and-Run Theft |
| Thursday, April 20 | Walnut Creek, CA | Smash-and-Grab Robbery |
| Tuesday, April 18 | Conyers, GA | Armed Robbery |
| Thursday, April 13 | Port St. Lucie, FL | Armed Robbery |
| Saturday, April 1 | Honolulu, HI | Smash-and-Grab Robbery |
| When | Where | What |
| Saturday, April 29 | Simpsonville, KY | Grab-and-Run Theft |
| Crime Description | ||
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A woman told a sales associate that she was shopping for a gift for her grandmother's 90th birthday. After the associate displayed a bracelet and earrings, the woman grabbed them and fled from the store. She was described as 5'7", 120 pounds, and in her mid-20s. She appeared to have multiple tattoos on her neck, chest, hands and feet, and also had short, pink hair. The same woman was spotted in New York and Tennessee earlier in the month where she targeted a ring and bracelet, as well as a luxury watch and bracelet, respectively. Media outlets reported that she had an accomplice who was driving a red sports car and that authorities believe she was acting as part of a larger criminal operation. If you have any information, please call the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at (212) 687-0328. |
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Photo courtesy of JSA
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| When | Where | What |
| Thursday, April 20 | Walnut Creek, CA | Smash-and-Grab Robbery |
| Crime Description | ||
|
Men dressed as construction workers entered a store and showed the owner a clipboard with documents that asked for a signature to shut the business's power off. As the owner reviewed the documents, one of the suspects sprayed him and a customer in the store with pepper spray. A second suspect proceeded to remove a baseball bat from his pants and smashed a display case. Video surveillance shows that as the suspects attempted to grab the merchandise, the owner responded by aiming a handgun at the suspects who immediately fled. If you have any information, please call the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at (212) 687-0328. |
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Photo courtesy of JSA
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.jpg "Male suspect with hat and glasses")
.jpg "Female suspect wearing sunglasses")
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| When | Where | What |
| Thursday, April 13 | Port St. Lucie, FL | Armed Robbery |
| Crime Description | ||
|
Four male suspects dressed as women wore wigs, heavy makeup and jumpsuits to disguise themselves during an armed robbery. Two of the men also had handguns and put jewelry into duffle bags. Video surveillance shows the men entering the store and fleeing out a back door. After leaving the scene, one suspect was caught after attempting to flee on foot. The other three suspects remain at large and are described as black males who were believed to have driven a white SUV. If you have any information about this crime, please call the Port St. Lucie Police Department (772) 871-5000. |
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| When | Where | What |
| Saturday, April 1 | Honolulu, HI | Smash-and-Grab Robbery |
| Crime Description | ||
|
Two suspects used an ax to smash showcases and steal the merchandise inside. Surveillance footage shared with local media shows one suspect gaining access to the store via a locked door buzzer system and immediately allowing the second suspect in after him. One suspect appeared to be wearing sunglasses and a beanie, while the other was wearing a bandana and a hat. Cell phone video from a bystander in the parking lot shows the suspects fleeing the scene in a silver Honda SUV. |
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