Headlines

Fake Police Rob NYC Jewelry Store

Their stated purpose was to inspect to store in case looters came.

Published

5 years ago

June 7, 2020

INSTORE Staff

Two men dressed as police officers robbed a jewelry store in New York City.

They entered Samaa K Jewelry on the Upper East Side and told the owner they needed to do an inspection, the New York Daily News reports. Supposedly that was in case looters showed up. Jewelry stores throughout the U.S. have been hit hard by looting, vandalism and burglary over the past week.

The men are alleged to have then bound the worker with zip ties before stealing a variety of merchandise, including rings, bracelets, earrings, watches and coins.

Neighbors heard the disturbance and notified police, who apprehended the suspects at a nearby subway station. They arrested Jose Rodriguez and Ishmael Igartua, both age 59.

Authorities found them with the merchandise and three handguns.

The two men are being charged at the federal level, the Daily News reports.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.