A Gem of a Theft: Fighting Jewelry Store Robberies

Liz Martinez

From distraction thefts to recent â€œgate-cuttingâ€ incidents, a look at the newest tactics to stand guard against

Created: January 2, 2006

A well-placed surveillance camera at the store's exit captures the man's face (intentionally obscured until the criminal case is settled) following the distraction theft.
A well-placed surveillance camera at the store's exit captures the man's face (intentionally obscured until the criminal case is settled) following the distraction theft.
While his accomplice distracts the store personnel with a request, the thief grabs for jewelry from a cabinet that has been accidentally left open, following a common pattern in non-violent...
While his accomplice distracts the store personnel with a request, the thief grabs for jewelry from a cabinet that has been accidentally left open, following a common pattern in non-violent, distraction-style thefts.
Security cameras at Filene's Basement in Boston captured a 2005 theft. In this still image taken from the video feed, the suspect (now arrested) works with an accomplice in the store.
Security cameras at Filene's Basement in Boston captured a 2005 theft. In this still image taken from the video feed, the suspect (now arrested) works with an accomplice in the store.
Retail security and loss prevention expert Liz Martinez is a regular contributor to SecurityInfoWatch.com.
Retail security and loss prevention expert Liz Martinez is a regular contributor to SecurityInfoWatch.com.

The holiday season is a bonanza for thieves who target retail operations. In late 2005, jewelry stores, which are perennial targets, were especially favored by the bad guys. The situation was so severe that the FBI stepped in â€“ it was one of the few times the agency has bothered to get involved with retail crime, an area of crime that is normally left to local police forces.

Among the scads of jewelry stores and department store fine jewelry counters that sported bulls-eyes were the Boston Fileneâ€™s Basement, which was hit by the same man who then targeted a store in Albany, N.Y., followed by the Northeastern Fine Jewelry Shop in Guilderland, Md., near Baltimore. The Baltimore area was also plagued by robberies at J.M. Jewelers in Bel Air and Bromwell Jewelers in Lutherville.

â€™Twas the Season

The holiday season signals an increase in retail jewelry thefts simply because the target of opportunity expands during the fourth quarter. People begin their holiday gift shopping then, and many look for fine jewelry. In response to an increased sales opportunity, jewelry merchants show more stock. The larger selection translates into a juicier opportunity for thieves.

Predictable Patterns

Jewelry thefts occur in several predictable ways:

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