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Couples With Baby Stroller Prove To Be Jewelry Thieves, Not Parents December 21, 2020 (0 comments)
Henrico, VA—The Jewelers Security Alliance reports another effective form of distraction theft: a baby carriage. On Saturday, December 4, two couples entered the Penelope Boutique store together, with one of the women pushing a baby carriage and one of the men talking on a cell phone. From outward appearances, they looked like two young couples out doing their holiday shopping together, but in fact they were thieves using the carriage as a means of concealing merchandise.
The couples entered the store—near Richmond, VA—around 1:15 p.m. One couple interacted with the store’s sales associates, while the other couple put about $30,000 worth of jewelry into the stroller and left. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective B. Rose of the Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000, or JSA, (212) 687-0328, jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
This is one of the Virginia thieves, who talked on a cell phone during the incident.
JSA offers these recommendations for jewelers:
1. Three or more people entering together is a red flag, requiring close scrutiny.
2. Distraction theft criminals will use strollers and young children as part of their distraction, trying to deflect suspicions that they are criminals, and to block and distract employees from seeing the theft.
3. Keep showcases locked and merchandise put away, except when taking items out and returning them for a presentation.