Burglary Ring Targets Homeowners, Swiping $4 Million in Jewels Over 6 Years

Police in Massachusetts recently broke up a “sophisticated” burglary ring that stole jewelry worth over $4 million from homes in 25 communities in the state over the past six years. According to the Massachusetts State Police Division of Homeland Security, the criminals allegedly targeted households they believed would have more jewelry, ABC News reported on April 27.

Four individuals were arrested in connection with the thefts, which included diamonds and gems worth $75,000 each, gold bracelets, necklaces, and more, along with full safes weighing hundreds of pounds. The burglars specifically targeted victims based on certain ethnicities, and the suspects also allegedly collected information about homeowners’ whereabouts to ensure they were not at home when the thefts occurred, and they used Wi-Fi jammers and other tactics to avoid alarms and to conceal themselves, ABC News reported.

“We have been hearing about very well-trained, sophisticated rings targeting high-end homes,” said Danielle Alessandrini , Associate Vice President, Underwriting Director, Personal Insurance, Burns & Wilcox , Farmington Hills, Michigan. “It is happening everywhere.”

The news should be “eye-opening” for homeowners, many of whom do not have adequate insurance coverage for their jewelry and other high-value items, said Sylvia Ornelas, CPRIA, API, AINS , Associate Vice President, Director, Personal Insurance, Burns & Wilcox , Los Angeles, California. These items often exceed the limits of a standard Homeowners Insurance policy and require a standalone Personal Articles Floater.

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