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JSA Reports On 6 Jewelry Crimes, Including $15K Diamond Ring Switch March 04, 2021 (0 comments)

New York, NY--The Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) has reported its latest news of jewelry crimes around the country.  

If you have information on any of these crimes or crimes in your area, please contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org. [Image Credits: JSA.]

WOMAN SWITCHES $15K DIAMOND RING
Key West, FL; February 10, 2021

The female suspect (top picture) was in a retail jewelry store complaining about a previous purchase and then asked to see a white gold and diamond ring.

She was shown the ring, and when the sales associate helped another customer, the suspect switched the store's ring with her own ring and left the store. 

Recommendations:
1. Leaving a customer unattended with merchandise presents a serious risk of a switch or other theft. Wait on one customer at a time.
2. When an item is returned during a presentation, a sales associate must determine it was the same item that was given to the customer. 

VERY TALL GRAB AND RUN SUSPECT PICTURED IN FEBRUARY 12, 2021 JSA CRIME ALERT STRIKES TWICE MORE
Sugarland, TX; March 2, 2021
The black male suspect pictured above was looking at bridal pieces in a retail jewelry store, and said he had played ball overseas. Upon learning that he could open a credit account, the suspect stated he needed to get his ID from the car, but requested to see a 2 ct diamond ring again. When he had the ring in his hand, he fled the store.

Wichita, KS; March 1, 2021
The black male suspect pictured above looked at gold chains for himself in a retail jewelry store, and said he had played basketball overseas. He said none of the chains were large enough, and that he wanted to get his wife a ring, and that price was not an object since he had made good money playing basketball.

The suspect was shown several rings, one at a time, but asked the sales associate to put multiple rings on the ring stick. The sales associate said she could only show one item at a time. The suspect asked to see a 2 ct diamond ring again, and when he had it in his hand, he fled the store.

The suspect is described as 6 feet and 9 inches, late 20s to early 30s, with tattoos of thin lines on his neck and arms. The suspect is believed to have a long history of grab and runs in the Texas and Oklahoma area.

Recommendations:
1. It is a red flag when a customer boasts that price is not an object, or asks to see the most expensive items in the store.
2. Be on heightened alert when a customer boasts of a recent inheritance, insurance settlement or that they are rich entrepreneurs, doctors, athletes or entertainment figures.

 

GRAB AND RUN SUSPECT PICTURED IN FEBRUARY 25, 2021 JSA CRIME ALERT HITS TWICE MORE
The suspect is described as 24 years old with tattoos on his hands of fire and the name Dev, and neck tattoos.

Hanover, MD; February 25, 2021
Grab and Run of high-end watch, pictured above left.

Middletown, DE; February 28, 2021
Grab and run of diamond engagement ring and diamond wedding bands. The suspect escaped in a grey Volkswagen SUV.

 

GRAB AND RUN WITH A TRAY OF NINE RINGS
Providence, RI area; February 26, 2021

At 4:20 p.m. the male suspect pictured above was in a retail jewelry store and said he was looking for an engagement ring for his girlfriend. A female with him reportedly acted as a distraction, and the male suspect ran out with a tray of nine rings. The suspect is described as 5 feet and 11 inches with a slim build.

Recommendation: Show only one item at a time, and do not give access to an entire tray of rings to a customer. 

VIOLENT CAREER CRIMINAL SENTENCED TO 34 YEARS IN PRISON FOR TWO JEWELRY STORE ROBBERIES
New Bern, NC; February 26, 2021

Charles Walker, Jr. was sentenced to 34 years in prison for two jewelry store robberies in 2018 that were featured in a JSA Crime Alert dated 10/23/18. Walker, who was convicted in federal court of Hobbs Act Robbery and other charges, had a long criminal record including a past crime of conspiracy to commit murder. The FBI, the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Garner Police Department and the Greensboro Police Department investigated the case.