JSA H1 2016 Crime Statistics and Trends Show Continued Decline ‎

(IDEX Online News) – The Jewelers Security Alliance has released its crime statistics and trends for the first half of 2016, which indicate a continued decrease in crime against the diamond, jewelry and watch industry.

According to the statistics, in US dollar terms, losses decreased from $33.2 million to $30.8 million, with the number of crimes falling from 562 to 528.

JSA reported that in the first six months of the year 30 smash and grab robberies and more than 40 gunpoint robberies accounted for the majority of the large losses. Violence in these robberies included shootings, pistol whippings, the use of pepper spray, and other violence. An additional 10 cases involved burglars using vehicles to break into retail jewelry stores, and 20 cases in which burglars broke in from the roof, side walls or an adjoining business rather than through a window or door.

There were 187 reports of grab and runs in retail stores, 49 distraction thefts and 36 sneak thefts. Thieves have also utilized credit card fraud and counterfeit drivers’ licenses to carry out numerous fraudulent transactions, in particular high end watches.

Off-premises losses, such as attacks on traveling salespersons, were largely concentrated in Texas and Southern California, including the homicide of one salesperson in Dallas, Texas.

The JSA did succeed in aiding investigations that resulted in indictments and convictions of gang members and criminals. This included the arrest of a female robber and her three accomplices, who carried out six armed robberies in the South totalling $4 million.

“While violence and large losses still pose a major threat to the industry, the long-time trend of overall losses is still heading down,” said JSA president John Kennedy.

“Improved security measures by jewelers, greater sharing of information on crimes and suspects, and excellent work by the FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement agencies around the country have all contributed to improved results.”