Since the start of 2026, nine jewelry stores across New Jersey have fallen victim to smash-and-grab robberies. The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) issued an alert last week, highlighting the latest incident in Bogota on September 2.
According to reports, four individuals targeted JJB Gold Jewelry in Bergen County. One person used a sledgehammer to shatter the front door, while the others rushed inside, broke display cases, and stole an estimated $500,000 in merchandise within seconds.
This incident follows a pattern of similar robberies in Jersey City, Union, Perth Amboy, Newark, Orange, Edison, Wayne, and Iselin. The Iselin robbery alone resulted in a $1 million loss.
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The JSA has issued critical safety recommendations for jewelers. Their top advice is to not resist and move away from perpetrators, who may be armed. They also suggest using burglary-resistant glass for display cases, distributing high-value items across multiple cases, and keeping some inventory in a safe.
The JSA also recommends that jewelers have buzzers on their doors, audible glass-breakage alarms on their showcases, and armed, off-duty police officers or uniformed guards in the store, all of which can be deterrents.
