A weekly roundup of jewelry store crimes with related tips from JCK:

Utah Jewelers Lose $150K in Armed Robbery

Sierra-West Jewelers in Murray, Utah, was hit with an estimated $150,000 loss when the store was robbed Dec. 23 during the height of the holiday season.

Two masked men took over the store Friday evening, smashing two cases and demanding all of the contents of the store’s safe. One man threatened an employee with a pistol, while the other broke the glass cases with a sledgehammer. The exact amount of cash and merchandise lost has not been released, but the store’s manager estimates that it was at least $150,000.

The Manual of Jewelry Security suggests jewelers obey the orders of robbers. Do not say or do anything, or even raise your hands, unless told to do so. “Cooperate fully and try not to panic,” according to the Manual.

Long Island Jewelry Clerk Struck by Pistol During Jewelry Theft 

A and D Jewelry & Stuff in Huntington Station, N.Y., was held up by three armed men on Dec. 27. The robbers forced an employee, who was working alone, to open the safe, after which one of the men struck him in the head with a handgun.

Estimated monetary losses have not been reported, and police have yet to release descriptions of the suspects.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact police at 631-854-8252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

The JSA suggests trying to memorize all the locations touched by the robbers so that jewelers can advise the police about possible fingerprint evidence when they arrive. Do not wipe or try to clean the cases or other surfaces, or otherwise disturb the crime scene before police arrive. Also try to keep all witnesses present until the police respond.

$355,000 Stolen in Texas Jewelry Robbery

A Ben Bridge store in Houston’s Galleria Mall was held up Dec. 23 amidst the holiday shopping bustle. The heist—which happened on what Ben Bridge representatives say is one of the busiest days of the year for that Houston store—caused great commotion in the Galleria.

Customers near the store were reportedly seen dropping to the ground, running, and shouting after three masked men entered the jewelry store with what some believed to be firearms. A statement from the mall’s manager, however, reveals that no firearms were used in the robbery.

An estimated $355,000 was stolen during the heist. The theft was caught on video, but no information has been released.

JSA suggests jewelers maintain a visible video camera and recording system in their stores. An obvious camera system acts as a deterrent to crime, and helps identify criminals who commit a crime in their store, or even those who case their store with the intention of committing a crime.

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