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Eileen McClelland

‘Unprecedented’ Increase in Sophisticated Burglaries Alarms Jewelry Industry Security Specialists

Burglaries can occur through rooftops, side walls and with the disabling of electric power in the store.

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JEWELERS MUTUAL AND THE Jewelers Security Alliance are reporting a significant jump in jewelry store burglaries in the past three months, an increase large enough to be deemed an unprecedented crisis.

“I haven’t seen this level of severity and frequency in these types of attacks in all of my 30 years involved with jewelry crime,” says Scott Guginsky, vice president of the Jewelers Security Alliance. “This is a critical moment for jewelers everywhere. By taking immediate action and following security best practices, you can significantly reduce your store’s exposure to this growing threat.”

Burglars gain access to stores and safes through shared walls of neighboring stores. They use torches, angle grinders, pry bars and other tools to access safes and vaults, resulting in millions of dollars in stolen merchandise.

“It’s not isolated to one area of the country,” says Howard Stone, vice president of global risk services and analytics at Jewelers Mutual. “It is prevalent across the entire U.S. That’s what makes it tough for law enforcement.”

Sophisticated, organized traveling groups, believed to be linked to South America remain at large. They often are looking for high-karat gold and luxury-brand watches at both mall-based and stand-alone jewelry stores.

They case locations, particularly those adjacent to construction sites and vacant buildings, during business hours and gain entry overnight, often disguised in construction attire, high visibility vests and surgical masks. In some cases, cell phone or wifi disrupters/jammers are being used, affecting cell phone communication up to 120 feet.

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Burglaries can occur through rooftops, side walls and with the disabling of electric power in the store.

“We’ve seen in the last 18 months a great upsurge in burglary gangs going to the junction boxes and cutting the power, which can disable cameras, electricity and internet service all at once,” John Kennedy, president of Jewelers Security Alliance said earlier this year. “One of the main things you have to have is line security. If there is an interruption in your alarm service, you will get a signal.” Store owners must respond whenever their alarm service tells them there is a problem or a communication error. “You’ve got to go in with the police, too,” Kennedy says.

Kennedy also suggested installing a camera at the rear of the store near the junction boxes. “Inspect the junction boxes regularly,” he says. “Burglars may tamper with them in anticipation of a future attack.”

“What a jeweler can do right now is to test and validate their alarms and ensure the system is up and running,” says Stone.

Treat any phone call from the alarm company as a good reason to dispatch law enforcement. If the store is in a mall, particularly a mall that is experiencing any type of construction, jewelers are advised to speak with mall security to familiarize them with the store and the situation.

If burglars entering and casing the store notice a camera system, a well-lighted exterior, and a functioning alarm, they may go elsewhere.

“The crime landscape is evolving quickly and criminals are becoming more sophisticated than ever. No business is exempt,” says Stone. “It’s critical that every jewelry business owner takes proactive measures to safeguard themselves and their stores.”

JSA warns that high-priority alarm response is critical, especially on weekends and holidays.

Leo Anglo of Vincent’s Jewelers in St. Louis, MO, manages the Jewelers Helping Jewelers Crime Alert Network, a private group on Facebook designed to share information. In response to the warning from JM and JSA, he published a series of posts and alerts reminding store owners to regularly inspect security and alarms. “Be aware of neighboring businesses that may have poor or even no alarms,” he says. “I know many stores have made adjustments with better alarm systems and adding smart-type cameras in and outside of their stores.”

Anglo says that in addition to sophisticated burglaries, common crimes against jewelry retailers are grab and runs, sneak thefts and credit card scams. And for OTC buyers, fake gold and high-end watch schemes. “Jewelry-related crimes are getting more violent,” Anglo says. “Armed robberies targeting stores with a lot of high karat gold seems to be more common as well.”

Jewelers Mutual and the Jewelers Security Alliance urge jewelers to take these actions immediately:

  • Test and validate alarm and camera systems: Ensure that all security alarms and cameras are functional and correctly installed. Conduct regular tests to verify that alarms are properly communicating with your monitoring services and cameras are recording properly.
  • Update call lists and define roles: Review and update your emergency contact lists. Every person on this list should clearly understand their role during a crisis. Immediate response times are critical to minimizing damage.
  • Answer calls from your alarm company: Contact local authorities immediately to respond to all alarm signals, including communication failures. Do not enter the property until accompanied by law enforcement to complete a full walkthrough of the premises and adjacent areas.
  • Engage with law enforcement and mall security: Proactively connect with your local law enforcement and mall security teams. Inform them that the jewelry industry is a primary target and request their assistance in increasing surveillance and patrolling your business. Inviting them to tour your store helps them understand the layout and identify potential vulnerabilities.
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Call to Action: Report Any Suspicious Activity

If you witness any suspicious incidents or are aware of potential threats, report them immediately to local law enforcement, contact JSA at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org. JSA tracks crime trends and patterns and works closely with federal, state and local law enforcement, aiding in identifying and apprehending criminals.

For more information on how to protect your business and access security resources, visit JewelersMutual.com/crime-awareness or contact Jewelers Mutual’s Asset Protection team at lossprevention@jminsure.com.

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