Headlines

Thieves Hot-Wire Security Gate, Pick Door Locks to Bag $500K in Jewels

Surveillance footage indicates a well-planned heist.

Published

9 years ago

February 22, 2016

INSTORE Staff

Two men stole $500,000 in merchandise from the Barsky Diamonds jewelry store in Philadelphia after they hot-wired a security gate and then picked the door locks to gain entry to the shop, CBS Philly reports. According to the video report below, the surveillance footage indicates it was a well planned heist, as the thieves went directly for specific items. Local police haven’t ruled out the possibility that this was an inside job.

The report adds that the store fell victim to a similar crime in 2014 when burglars cut through the security gate, prompting owner Nathan Barsky to upgrade to the heavy-duty one you see in the video. He attributes the thefts to a lack of police patrol in the area and believes that a political solution must be achieved. “Customers don’t feel safe, and it’s a spiral. … We have the finest police, I think, anywhere, but their hands are tied. You need people in the politics of the city to spend money where it needs to be spent,” he told the news station.

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.