The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has issued a warning for traveling jewelry salespersons in Texas and Oklahoma saying that a string of robberies beginning in January 2008 continues to plague persons on the road.

The most recent event occurred when two jewelry salespersons from Israel were heading to the Oklahoma City airport after visiting stores in Tulsa and Norman, Okla. They stopped to get gas. While one of the salespersons was inside, a car blocked their vehicle and two suspects with guns jumped out. The suspects smashed a rear window and took two briefcases containing diamonds. Three suspects then fled in a four-door, green or silver Toyota.

Since Jan. 1, 2008, there have been seven crimes against traveling jewelry salespersons in the Oklahoma City, area and 13 in the Dallas, area, including one during the past week, JSA said in its e-mail Crime Bulletin issued Feb. 13.

“The suspects have been described as South American gang members,” JSA said. “Dallas and Oklahoma City are approximately 200 miles apart, and the dates of the crimes indicate that the gang members appear to be alternating their hits on salespersons between the two cities.”

More than $5 million in merchandise has been stolen in the Dallas area alone. JSA said it has been working with the North Texas Crime Commission which is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of these criminals. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 214-373-TIPS.

JCK