Jewellery Stores Targeted

Gunmen dressed as construction workers knocked off a high-end jewelry store at a Lower Mainland Shopping Centre recently. It was the second time in recent months that the same jewellery store was hit by thieves, whom police believe may have been the same suspects.  In fact, this is at least the fourth time that thieves disguised in construction gear have hit a jewellery store at a Lower Mainland Shopping Centre.

In the most recent incident, the gunmen took the in-store security guard at gun point and forced the guard to the ground.

Modus Operandi

The suspects, driving a stolen vehicle, pull up in a parking stall or fire lane outside the mall entrance closest to the jewellery store they intend to hit.  Dressed in dark coloured coveralls, helmets or hats, and respirator masks, the suspects enter the building and proceed to the targeted store.  The suspects are armed with handguns which they use to threaten store staff.  The suspects seem to target high-end jewellery, specifically expensive watches.  This group is getting away with what has been estimated at almost half a million dollars worth of merchandise in each incident.

Prevention and Deterrence

Preventing this type of robbery is extremely challenging.  The fact that the thieves have the element of surprise and are well armed tips the scale considerably in their favour during the event.  There are some measures that can be taken to deter and possibly prevent this type of robbery, or at least reduce losses.

• Report any loitering persons in or around jewellery stores to security and / or police.
• Keep high-end items in a safe and represent them in display cases with photos, images, or "for display purposes only" replicas.
• Ensure that in-store CCTV systems are working properly and capturing quality images as such images can be invaluable to police after an incident.

Concord Security staff at all major sites have all been briefed on these recent incidents through our Supervisor Network E-Bulletins.  Concord staff will be increasing patrols and vigilance of parking areas and firelanes near mall entrances as well as increasing patrols around jewellery stores.  Deterrence is the goal of these patrols.  The nature of these incidents makes them potentially dangerous and our staff remain safety concious during the performance of their duties.