The Jewelers’ Security Alliance says it has noticed a growing pattern of burglaries of retail jewelry stores in which the criminals have entered from the roof.

JSA says that sometimes the purpose of these overnight roof entries is to carry out an armed robbery in the morning when the first employees arrive. “The roof entry pattern has not been confined to any one area of the country and jewelers are urged to give this special attention,” JSA said in a statement.

JSA notes the following recent burglaries:

Altamonte Springs, Fla., June 12 – Burglars cut a hole in the roof of a retail jewelry store in a strip center, entered the store, cut power to the alarm system, taped over a security camera, and burned into the backs of two safes, taking diamond jewelry.

Rochester, N.Y., May 22 – Burglars cut the phone lines for an entire mall, and no effective alarm signal was sent by the alarm of a retail jeweler. Burglars then entered the retail jewelry store in the mall by coming in through a roof HVAC vent.

Las Vegas, April 27 – A suspect cut a hole in the roof of a retail jewelry store and waited in the ceiling area above the backroom. At 8:16 a.m. the manager entered the store by herself and turned off the alarm. Once the alarm was deactivated, the suspect jumped down into the backroom and announced a robbery.

San Pablo, Calif., March 23 – Burglars cut hole in roof of a retail jewelry store.

JCK