SaferGems assisted in the arrest of a man believed to have carried out thefts with “net total value of stolen goods just shy of half a million pounds”, according to Lincolnshire Police. The man, arrested in Birmingham on November 13, is being detained on suspicion of thefts across the country and has been charged with seven offences across six counties.
SaferGems was first made aware of the man on September 11, when Lincolnshire Police received a report of theft of a gold and diamond necklace valued at £20,000 from a store in Lincoln. Reports detailed how a male entered a store and used a classic distraction technique to steal the necklace.
Watson said: “Pretending to buy a ring, the man approached the counter and got out his wallet to pay then saying he needed to speak to his wife, he walked outside and ran off; the assistant alerted the store manager to CCTV images which showed the theft of the £20,000 necklace.” SaferGems were sent CCTV images of the suspect for identification. SaferGems disseminated these images nationally and identified the man as being responsible for a series of similar offences all over the UK.
Watson described how this led to “an eagle eyed jeweller in a store within the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham recognising him from the SaferGems Alert and phoning it in. The suspect was apprehended and when he was searched, he was found in possession of three fake diamond rings which he is likely to have used in a distraction or substitution theft.”
The suspect in question has now been charged with seven offences across the UK with thefts amounting to a total of just over £300,000. The man in question is also being dealt with for further alleged offences for thefts in Norfolk and Lancashire whereby it is alleged that he stole jewellery to the value of £141,700.
After the arrest, Lee Henderson of SaferGems said: “This is a great result. We’ve been circulating this man’s details and image to our members for over 12 months so we’re glad we’ve finally got a result!”
National Association of Goldsmiths CEO and SaferGems Co-Founder Michael Hoare, pictured, said: “It’s amazing how one man could continue to get away with this for so long. That’s why we’re glad SaferGems has helped us to catch up with him. Once again we see how SaferGems is helping jewellers and police bring jewellery thieves to account.”
