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CrimeApr 23, 2018
Distraction Theft Crew Strikes Again
The group believed to have committed at least 11 jewelry store thefts since June 2017 hit a store in Sacramento, California, on April 13.
Sacramento, Calif.—A group of suspects performing distraction thefts at jewelry stores around the country has hit again.
The suspects, which have been mentioned in several JSA Crime Alerts and are pictured below, entered a retail jewelry store in Sacramento, California, on April 13 and distracted the staff.
Through the confusion they caused, according to the JSA, one of the suspects was able to sneak into the rear of the store and clean out an open safe.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Alioto of the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-0650.
When the JSA sent out an alert about the crew in late March after they had just stolen from a Paso Robles, California, jewelry store, the organization said the group is believed to have already committed at least 10 jewelry store thefts since June 2017.
In all of the thefts a subject crawled on the floor to the back of the store and stole merchandise from the safe while the rest of the suspects were distracting the staff.
The JSA offered the following recommendations to retailers.
1. Beware of groups of three or more people entering the store together. Sometimes seven or more will enter in quick succession, including one with a baby in arms, but may try to act like they aren’t all together. They also may appear to aimlessly wander around the store. If such a group appears, use a code word to have all employees focus on this group.
2. Keep all showcases and safes locked during the day except to remove or return merchandise.
3. Be especially careful when multiple suspects ask to be shown numerous items at once. Do not leave multiple items on the showcase.
4. Keep any gates or doors to a rear room closed and locked to help prevent anyone from crawling back to the safe.
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