Jewelry Crime More Sophisticated and More Violent, says JSA

(IDEX Online) - Crime cost US jewelers $144.7 million in 2025, as raiders employed increasingly sophisticated techniques, used more violence and stole more per robbery.

There were two homicides, during the year, said the Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) in its Annual Crime Report for the year.

Faustino Alamo Dominguez, 63, and his son, Luis Angel Alamo, 25, were shot and killed outside their jewelry store in Chicago last November as they chased a robber. There were four jewelry-related homicides in 2024, said the JSA.

Violence was recorded in over a quarter (27%) of robberies against jewelers in 2025, a marked increase from 17% the previous year.

The total dollar loss from crimes against jewelry firms increased by 1.5% compared to 2024, but the number of crimes fell by over 13%.

The JSA said a major factor was the South American Theft Groups (SATGs)  - predominantly from Chile and Venezuela - that were responsible for an icreasing number of high-value, sophisticated burglaries.

Such raids require a high degree of planning, preparation, and expertise, said the JSA. In many cases the perpetrators break in through the roof or a common wall.

Another worrying trend is ram raiding - driving a vehicle into the wall or window of a store during or shortly business hours. There were no such recorded incidents in 2024, but there were 13 in 2025.

Pic shows Faustino Alamo Dominguez, 63, and his son, Luis Angel Alamo, 25, who were killed outside their jewelry store in Chicago.