CrimeNov 08, 2021
Police Searching for Suspect in Jewelry Store Bomb Scare CrimeNov 22, 2021
CA Malls See Wave of Smash-and-Grabs Carried Out by Groups
The latest happened Nov. 15, when nine suspects smashed up the showcases at a mall jewelry store in Concord, California.
New York—Small gangs of smash-and-grab robbers have been hitting mall jewelry stores in recent months, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said, including a recent robbery involving nine suspects who targeted a store in California.
According to the Concord Police Department, on Nov. 15 around 7:30 p.m., nine people armed with hammers entered the Iceberg Diamonds store in Sun Valley Mall.
They started smashing the display cases and stealing jewelry. Employees who tried to intervene were kept back by the robbers.
Some customers inside the mall called 911, mistaking the sound of the hammers hitting the showcases and glass breaking for gunshots.
No one was injured in the robbery, but the nine individuals escaped before police arrived, Concord PD said.
In its most recent email alert, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance noted the Concord robbery is one of several smash-and-grabs carried out by groups of three to seven individuals—or, in this case, nine—at mall jewelry stores in California.
According to JSA, there were similar incidences in Milpitas, California on May 20; Hayward on May 21; Daly City on Sept. 15; and San Jose on Oct. 28 and 29.
Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the Concord Police Department, on Nov. 15 around 7:30 p.m., nine people armed with hammers entered the Iceberg Diamonds store in Sun Valley Mall.
They started smashing the display cases and stealing jewelry. Employees who tried to intervene were kept back by the robbers.
Some customers inside the mall called 911, mistaking the sound of the hammers hitting the showcases and glass breaking for gunshots.
No one was injured in the robbery, but the nine individuals escaped before police arrived, Concord PD said.
In its most recent email alert, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance noted the Concord robbery is one of several smash-and-grabs carried out by groups of three to seven individuals—or, in this case, nine—at mall jewelry stores in California.
According to JSA, there were similar incidences in Milpitas, California on May 20; Hayward on May 21; Daly City on Sept. 15; and San Jose on Oct. 28 and 29.
Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
In the same email alert that included information on the Concord robbery, JSA noted another recent smash-and-grab, this one committed by a lone male suspect at a jewelry store in Tacoma, Washington on Nov. 16.
JSA has a list of tips for staying safe and mitigating losses in the event of a grab-and-run robbery. They include the following.
— Do not resist in a smash-and-grab robbery. A hammer can be a dangerous weapon and the suspects may be armed with guns as well.
— Audible glass breakage alarms on showcases can scare away smash-and-grab robbers.
— Place cameras at eye level both inside and outside the store. Ceiling cameras are not as effective, as they generally capture useless photos of the top of heads or hats.
— Spread out high-end watches and loose diamonds among several showcases. This can help reduce loss in the event of a smash and grab.
— Use burglary-resistant laminated glass on the front and sides of showcases as well as special frames that can withstand many blows with a hammer.
JSA said it hasn’t seen robbers take retaliatory action when laminated glass is used.
The right glass and frames can prevent grab-and-run robberies entirely or will only yield enough to create a small opening. This reduces the amount of product robbers can grab and could result in them getting cut when they reach in, leaving behind DNA evidence in the form of blood.
For more security recommendations, including holiday- and event-specific safety tips, watch National Jeweler’s latest webinar featuring Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff in conversation with JSA President John J. Kennedy and Berkley Asset Protection co-founder and Executive Vice President Greg Smith.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
CrimeNov 02, 2021
Graff Gets Hit by Ransomware Attack
CrimeOct 27, 2021
How Jewelers Can Travel with Jewelry SafelyMore on Crime
The Latest
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
