Alleged Thieves Nabbed at Australian Trade Fair

-- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 3/21/2008 10:42:00 AM

Security has foiled the attempts of a suspected international crime ring at this year’s JAA Australian Jewellery Fair in Brisbane.

On the morning of March 17, the second day of the Brisbane fair, show security guards noticed and followed someone acting suspiciously in the foyer, according to a statement from trade fair organizers, Expertise Events. This led to the apprehension of two suspects. Under questioning and during a search of the person's accommodation, police found a third suspect. All three had Optus pre-paid mobile phones in their possession and had flown into Australia three days before the fair leading the security guards and police to believe they are part of an international crime group.

Police followed up a number of leads obtained from questioning the three suspects but did not have sufficient evidence to charge them with committing a criminal act. They were released with "heavy warnings with emphatic warnings to stay away from the precinct of the Brisbane JAA Australian Jewellery Fair," the trade fair organizers said.

“We are very pleased to see that our security procedures have again foiled another attempted crime,” said Gary Fitz-Roy, chief executive officer of Expertise Events, organizer of the JAA Australian Jewellery Fairs. “While in the past the Fair has attracted publicity for security breaches, it is not often recognized that we have procedures in place to prevent theft.

This year Expertise Events included an instructive CD with the "Official Fair Security Brief" to ensure exhibitors and their staff have easy access to vital security information, Fitz-Roy said.