CrimeJun 15, 2023
Dollar Losses From Jewelry Crime Hit 13-Year High CrimeJun 21, 2023
Police Investigating More Than a Dozen Smash-and-Grab Robberies in NJ
They’ve occurred at jewelry stores across the state over the first two weekends in June, said officials.
Police in towns across New Jersey are investigating a string of smash-and-grab robberies.
Union, N.J.—Several New Jersey police departments are investigating a string of smash-and-grab robberies at jewelry stores across the state.
As of last week, a dozen jewelry stores had been robbed over the first two weekends of June, according to an ABC7 report, with at least one more occurring this week.
On June 12, the Union Police Department responded to a call from Union Jewelers Exchange’s alarm company at 3:58 a.m.
Surveillance video shows four masked men using a tire iron and sledgehammer to break the door, enter the store and smash the showcases, leaving with jewelry estimated to be worth thousands.
“We had officers across the street at the time, and they got there within minutes,” Union Police Deputy Chief Scott Breslow told ABC7, adding officers spotted a white Jeep Cherokee exiting the parking lot.
The officers followed the Jeep to Newark, but then lost it. After checking out the license plate number, it led them to the house of a person who was missing their license plate.
Breslow said the Jeep seen on surveillance tape, as well as its license plate, likely are stolen.
Related stories will be right here …
As of last week, a dozen jewelry stores had been robbed over the first two weekends of June, according to an ABC7 report, with at least one more occurring this week.
On June 12, the Union Police Department responded to a call from Union Jewelers Exchange’s alarm company at 3:58 a.m.
Surveillance video shows four masked men using a tire iron and sledgehammer to break the door, enter the store and smash the showcases, leaving with jewelry estimated to be worth thousands.
“We had officers across the street at the time, and they got there within minutes,” Union Police Deputy Chief Scott Breslow told ABC7, adding officers spotted a white Jeep Cherokee exiting the parking lot.
The officers followed the Jeep to Newark, but then lost it. After checking out the license plate number, it led them to the house of a person who was missing their license plate.
Breslow said the Jeep seen on surveillance tape, as well as its license plate, likely are stolen.
The robberies have all occurred in a similar fashion, said Breslow, with the thieves smashing through the door, windows and showcases, then fleeing with the items.
Many of the robberies have occurred overnight and involved a similar white Jeep Cherokee.
At 4:14 a.m. on June 12, around 15 minutes after the robbery in Union, the Maplewood Police Department responded to an alarm activation at Trimarco Jewelers, the department said in a statement.
Officers noted broken front door windows and an unspecified amount of missing gold jewelry.
“Similar incidents have occurred in other nearby jurisdictions and the Maplewood Police Detective Bureau is working closely with these departments,” the department said, adding it can’t share further details as it is an active investigation.
Another smash-and-grab robbery occurred at Bentley’s Jewelers in Hillsborough on Tuesday around 2:45 a.m., according to a local report.
Jewelry stores in Scotch Plains, Linden, Woodbridge, Middletown, Eatontown, Green Brook, Hainesport, Robbinsville, Long Branch, and Westfield have all been victims of smash-and-grab robberies as well.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance reported earlier this month that jewelry crime hit an all-time high in 2022, with smash-and-grab robberies one of the categories driving the increase.
JSA said a total of 169 smash-and-grab robberies were reported to the organization last year, nearly double the number in 2021.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
