30 Rolex watches stolen

[z0mghenry]

Well, I'm glad noone was hurt. There are some robberies where they just shoot people, no questions asked.

[walds11]

Shuler's Jewelers in Norristown was the 3rd location in the area that got robbed recently. All Rolex ADs.

http://www.timesherald.com/article/2...WS01/111219604

Originally Posted by jnelson3097

The Govberg location in Bala Cynwyd was just robbed this same way, not sure what they ended up taking.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by steelerfan65

or better yet wear none - get caught and do 30.

x2

[MoBe]

If this was an organised criminal enterprise job then the entire lot of watches has probably already been shipped out of the country never to be seen again,my guess would be Ukraine.

[mountbaldy]

Bank robbery is a federal crime - You commit one and you willhave FBI up your ass in no time. Robbing a jewelry store is a state crime - It is a little more serious than a burglary but still aslap on the wrist.

[xhype]

Wow I better get my rolex insured quick

[gregmoeck]

dont take up for the bad guys sperry :-) I watch too many movies

[sprtrlx]

very scary,especially for innocent bystanders shopping in the store. i cant believe how brazen these creeps have become.i bet this crap is fueled by people robbing for drug money.

[gt3pilot]

They will sell these to someone for pennies on the dollar, and most Rolex watches never make it to a RSC for service. Besides that would be so many years down the road it wouldn't really matter !

Rolex stores need to invest in some laminated glass for the cases too !!

-Scott B.

[floater156]

Originally Posted by Melanotaenia

I wonder if these robbers realize that this is going to become more difficult as the number of Rolex dealers have decreased in the USA in the previous year :(

And they should have had a jacked up armed guard at the store if they are selling Rolex watches. Just sayin'

Why, they have insurance. Would you want bullets fired in the same room as you?

[darrenvs]

The store where I work was hit in the same way 18months ago. No guns but a BB bat, machete and 10lb sledge hammer. Our security guard stopped them from getting into the store. They then smashed the Rolex window but only got away with 9 watches. And we had the serial numbers listed with Rolex within half an hour.
The UK courts are even softer than the States on these crimes.

[stankeyleg]

the AD I went to in Montreal had a lock door you need to get buzzed in, he waits for that one to close and there is another locked door. felt like the start to the show "Get Smart".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElqZms_SUjg

[santiagoe]

Originally Posted by stankeyleg

the AD I went to in Montreal had a lock door you need to get buzzed in, he waits for that one to close and there is another locked door. felt like the start to the show "Get Smart".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElqZms_SUjg

Yes becauses like 20 years ago They rob him. All his stock

[gwozhog]

5 stores in houston have been hit by the same 3 thugs here in Houston since christmas. Its turning into the wildwest down here.

[FX44]

Wow, that's too bad.

[RLXSTR]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

5 stores in houston have been hit by the same 3 thugs here in Houston since christmas. Its turning into the wildwest down here.

Do you know that it is the exact three? One or two stores were hit by 4 men. All appear to be gang members. No guns used in both Ben Bridge robberies, just sledgehammers. Galleria store was robbed of $355,000 in Rolexes, the Memorial City Ben Bridge was robbed a week ago of $225,000 in Rolexes...Two Zales Outlet stores were robbed by 4 guys, and two days ago Gordon's Jewelers was hit by 3 men...no guns were used in any of them. No one had security.

It's been stated the stolen Rolexes were reported to Rolex, so all serial numbers have been sent. The authorities are still investigating but have not asked the FBI for help.

Two pawn shops were robbed a couple of days ago, same smash-and-grab but a couple of people got shot, with one possible death reported.

Here at the Houston Gold Exchange, we have HPD on staff all day. Fully electronic front door and several video cams. Even a couple of employees are armed. We've been cased, but nothing...usually when they see HPD...they leave.

Home invasions and burglaries are up including one individual who had his 1 million dollar watch collection stolen. They believe someone knew about it. Another was followed home and stolen both of his Rolexes valued at $500K, one being a blinged out GMT Master II.

I buy and sell Rolex. None have come in the store.

Rolexes seem to be the main target.

[josh6262]

Originally Posted by robk215k

What I don't get is that it's 2012. For 1/10th of one watch they can probably get a better security system that records full video, not just frames.

Why in the world wouldn't you have better surveillance in a high end jewelry store?

Because all that matters is if the insurance will pay. Stores will only increase the technology of their own security if demanded by insurance companies. Why spend the money if you don't have to?

[sdwtchlvr]

There have been so many of these robberies it seems. ADs have insurance so no employee is gonna step in and get hurt over some watches. Furthermore, most mall security guards aren't armed so they're not gonna step in and take a bullet. They're duty does not call for it and they know this. They're probably gonna find a safe vantage point and record details for the cops. It's a pretty safe bet from the standpoint of the thief.

I would imagine 99% of the time, the thieves are going for the gold & diamond studded Rolex watches...rarely the ss sport models. And I'd imagine most of these stolen watches get smuggled overseas. The thieves are probably getting pennies on the dollar for them.

[witch watch]

Originally Posted by josh6262

Because all that matters is if the insurance will pay. Stores will only increase the technology of their own security if demanded by insurance companies. Why spend the money if you don't have to?

Very,very good point!

I imagine a few insurance companies will be demanding such measures from stores located near of in those City's pretty soon.

[RLXSTR]

Originally Posted by sdwtchlvr

There have been so many of these robberies it seems. ADs have insurance so no employee is gonna step in and get hurt over some watches. Furthermore, most mall security guards aren't armed so they're not gonna step in and take a bullet. They're duty does not call for it and they know this. They're probably gonna find a safe vantage point and record details for the cops. It's a pretty safe bet from the standpoint of the thief.

I would imagine 99% of the time, the thieves are going for the gold & diamond studded Rolex watches...rarely the ss sport models. And I'd imagine most of these stolen watches get smuggled overseas. The thieves are probably getting pennies on the dollar for them.

By the surveillance tapes they are taking all Rolexes. Smashing the side glass and scooping them into duffle bags...so gold, blinged or stainless...doesn't matter. They are not picking a choosing.

Both major Rolex heists here in Houston were done in less than a minute.

[stankeyleg]

Originally Posted by santiagoe

Yes becauses like 20 years ago They rob him. All his stock

my guess was the doors where put in place to lower the cost of insurience, but what you said makes more sense.

[MarcBenhc]

MONTCLAIR, Calif. (KABC) -- Four masked men robbed a jewelry store at Montclair Plaza in San Bernardino County Thursday night, making off with dozens of Rolex watches.


Four men wearing black clothing and ski masks entered Ben Bridge Jeweler just after 8 p.m. One man armed with a gun corralled workers and customers to a side of the store, while three other men used a hammer to smash a jewelry case.

The gunman fired his weapon several times in the air, but no one was hurt. Police later learned the weapon was a nonlethal airsoft gun.

The men took off with 25 to 30 Rolex watches, according to police.

[RLXSTR]

Originally Posted by MarcBenhc

MONTCLAIR, Calif. (KABC) -- Four masked men robbed a jewelry store at Montclair Plaza in San Bernardino County Thursday night, making off with dozens of Rolex watches.


Four men wearing black clothing and ski masks entered Ben Bridge Jeweler just after 8 p.m. One man armed with a gun corralled workers and customers to a side of the store, while three other men used a hammer to smash a jewelry case.

The gunman fired his weapon several times in the air, but no one was hurt. Police later learned the weapon was a nonlethal airsoft gun.

The men took off with 25 to 30 Rolex watches, according to police.

I read this story as well. After finding this Thread yesterday, I decided to start pulling several stories together. The similarities are smash-and-grab across the country, appears to be gang-dressed thugs but guns are used on West & East Coast. Here in Houston, we've been lucky that hasn't happened, but doesn't mean it won't.

I talked with one of my officer friends yesterday...on the robbery of the individual who had the 2 Rolexes valued at $500K was actually followed home and robbed at gunpoint. I know the neighborhood. I won't mention it's name but they have had several high end robberies there, a couple other people followed as well.

Having that conversation at the office yesterday, being followed is always a concern. You watch your rearview mirrors as much as viewing through the front windshield. Will I stop wearing my Rolex? No. I will not give into fear.

[ingmar]

The people they sell them too won't know they're stolen , so they won't know service issues.

That said, indys would service them. Unknowingly.

[sea-dweller]

Sign of the times, scary.

[z32turbo]

I hope they catch the whole gang. Don't need poeple like this running around free.

[superdelsol]

Lance Thomas, a Los Angeles Watchmaker who has been in at least 3 gunfights while being robbed and prevailed in each:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDgHDN_ANi4

[stankeyleg]

Originally Posted by superdelsol

Lance Thomas, a Los Angeles Watchmaker who has been in at least 3 gunfights while being robbed and prevailed in each:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDgHDN_ANi4

amazing video, I lost count of how many robbers this guy killed, 4 to 6. definitely worth watching.

[Flintstone]

It's too bad they moved so quickly. They didn't take the time for a complimentary beverage and other perks that one receives when getting their rolex from an AD.

[rkammer]

Originally Posted by jay1988

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but stolen Rolex's can't be serviced right ? Because they are going to be reported as stolen so no authorised service center would touch one.

So how much would someone pay for a Rolex that they could never get serviced from a proper place ? Maybe £1-2k ? Now £50k six ways isn't exactly worth going to jail for is it ?

There are lots of competent watchmakers that can do a "proper" service for less than what Rolex charges.