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Over $500K Worth of Stolen Gems In Jewelry Store Heist

March 5th, 2012

Could you imagine a heist or criminal operation as critical as this? This is the type of scenario you see in movies. You could have never imagined this to happen in real life, but it did. That’s probably what frightens us the most, the fact that sometimes movies are never too far from becoming a reality.

The manager of Steve Quick Jeweler, Dana Sullivan, was surprised to what she saw when she arrived to work on Wednesday morning. Not your ordinary sighting at work, she discovered a large hole behind the store’s safe. As a jewelry business, they know to invest in a high security safe, but it didn’t matter in this case. The TL-30 Rated Safe weighed in at about two tons, almost impossible for any thief to remove it from it’s place without being caught.  These types of safes can also withstand attacks from professional thieves and experts for at least 30 minutes. However, the thieves were able to find a weak spot.

Sullivan says, “Everything was fine until I opened the door and saw there was dust everywhere. I thought the ceiling had fallen in. I couldn’t figure out what was happening. I looked around the corner and saw the hole.” Steve Quick, the owner of the business for 25 years, believes it could have been an inside job. “They knew what they were doing and what’s got us spooked is that they circumvented our security system, which is state of the art, or they had some sort of information,” Quick said.

The thieves began their operation on Tuesday evening where they raided a sushi restaurant located right next door. From there, they were able to break down through the wall at the same location, where they could finally reach the safe. The safe was located in the back inside a small office, which is right next to Quick’s desk. “So they were able to stay under my desk, tunnel under, and if you go in back, you can see the hole in the bottom of the safe,” Quick said.

The burglars were able to remain undetected from surveillance because that was the only area not monitored by cameras or motion detectors. That issue was immediately resolved once they figured it out. Once they were able to cut into the bottom of the safe, they gained access to its bottom shelves. “And then these were some of the storage containers we used to keep the gems in, and they were able to crush these and pull them out through that small hole, all of them containing gems, there was a gem collection that we’ve been collecting for 25 years, so it’s a pretty devastating loss,” Quick said.

In light of the situation, Quick says that they are fully insured and that none of the jewelry stolen belonged to any of their customers. “Everything is accounted for, the only things that are missing belonged to us,” Quick said.

After a huge loss, the staff is now busy making sure to account for all the inventory of the merchandise. As disappointed and saddened Quick is, he says that it comes within the territory of being in the jewelry business. “We’ve had armed robberies, we do everything we can, we take security very seriously, but there are people out there, and once in a while they succeed,” he said. The Chicago police have yet to make any arrests in this case.

Source: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-10/news/chi-500k-of-jewelry-stolen-in-lincoln-park-heist-20120210_1_burglars-jewelry-business-gems

Safe Sales Still Going Strong Amidst Recession

January 24th, 2012

It’s been quite awhile since our last news post. We’ve been busy revamping the website and making it easier for you to find what you need. If you need help navigating through our main homepage, please check out our post below. It’s a step-by-step tutorial on the key features and how to better search for what you’re looking for.

Safe sales are still striving among the recession in this country. Finding a job is still hard to come by and many people are struggling to make a decent living. It’s no wonder why there are still high rates of theft and burglary happening all over the nation. As we draw closer to the Presidential election this year, people are looking towards the future, hoping we can progress and improve the state of the economy. Many people want to see more jobs and a boost in sales for businesses. Until then, many people are taking things into their own hands and protecting their assets.

A theft that occurred almost two years ago reminded Saleem Hussain to always protect and secure your valuables, no matter where you are. His Tampa home was raided by thieves, which they stole a massive amount of his family’s jewelry brought from India. “When I came in, all the drawers were open, all the pouches were empty,” he said, “It was chaos, it was a big loss. It was almost $200,000 in jewelry; the insurance paid me, what, $25,000?”

Like many victims of theft, Saleem learned the hard way. “I didn’t have the safe, so that was the biggest mistake.” Now people are looking into purchasing a safe as a means to protect their valuables not only from theft, but also from fires. Companies from all over the nation are seeing a rise in sales and record profits regardless of the poor economy. An owner that sells safes in Tampa, Ed Jurewicz (Action Lock and Safe), explains “this year, we’ve doubled in sales.” He has been in the safe business for almost 40 years.

MESA MFS80E U.L. Classified Safe - Class 350 - 1 Hour Fire Rating

As a safe and security company, it almost seems like a rising movement, people are more comfortable and confident in protecting their valuables themselves. They’re taking more out from the banks and taking their assets home. Jurewicz further adds that, “some of them are telling me they’re scared of the bank. They’re not sure if one day they’ll come to the bank and the bank will be closed, so there’s this uneasiness that’s going on here in Tampa.”

He also recommends buying quality heavy-duty safes that is heavy in weight and comes with a high quality secure lock. He opposes people buying cheap small safes, and we couldn’t agree more. “That is probably the worst thing you can do because it becomes a target, it becomes a place where when the thief runs through the house, they go right for the master bedroom closet and they see the safe, they pick it up and run,” he says. You can even keep your old safe or a cheap safe to be used as a decoy.

Some safes have the ability to stay hidden and concealed from intruders.  Hidden safes can store and keep your valuables safe in the convenience of your home, keeping your family assets safe from theft. Check out the video and interview with the theft victim below.

Source: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/safe-sales-surge-012312

 

October is Fire Safety & Prevention Month

October 10th, 2011

As a provider of security and safety supplies, we acknowledge the importance of Fire Safety and Prevention month. We want you to become more aware and acquainted to many of the fire safety measures. Even though some places are more prone to fire dangers such as warm climate areas in Texas, Arizona and Southern California, fires can happen anytime, anywhere.  Whether you leave your stove on or a gas leak in your home, they can happen wherever you are unexpectedly. Not only can fires happen in your home, they can also happen at school or work. That’s why knowing the extra safety precautions to prevent and save you from fires is of the utmost importance.

When you’re inside a building, it is necessary that you have an escape plan in case of a fire emergency. Make sure you that there are at least two different routes with which you can exit the building. Always have a leader or someone who is assigned to help in case of a fire emergency to direct and help those in need. You need someone to keep everyone calm and composed so that everyone leaves the vicinity in a timely manner instead of scattering around in panic. Have one person call 911 to report the fire. You should have an assigned meeting area to keep track of every individual in the building as people leave. This will make it easier to find out who is still in the building and who is safe outside. Taking roll call is the best way to keep track of people.

If you don’t have a smoke detector in your home, then you should immediately buy and install one. The Fire Department recommends installing the smoke detectors usually in the hallway and bedrooms of your home. When purchasing a smoke detector, make sure that it has the Underwriter’s Laboratories seal that ensures it has been tested and approved for quality and performance. Many homes are already installed with smoke detectors, but you’ll be surprised to how many of them actually don’t work. Why is that? It’s because sometimes we forget to change the battery and no longer operates. Remember to always check and test your smoke detectors every week. You never know when an unexpected fire will occur while you are asleep in bed, in the front lawn or backyard.

 

Here are a couple of other fire safety measures that we should pay close attention to:

  • Be Prepared and Ready. The simple safety measures can save your life.
    • Install and make sure that you have a smoke detector in all rooms, hallways, and other important areas of your home.
    • At least test them every week or every month to make sure they work properly.
    • Have a safety plan for getting in and out of the building. Fire drills are very important, especially if you have children.
  • Smoke is also an eminent danger!
    • We always think about the fires, but smoke is usually the first killer when it comes to fire dangers.
    • Smoke sucks all the oxygen from the air causing you to pass out and leave you vulnerable.
    • Smoke contains poison gases and can get extremely hot very quickly.
    • Smoke is sneaky and usually won’t even know until its too late, which is why having a smoke detector is needed for every home.
  • Preventing Fires
    • When cooking in the kitchen, never leave it unattended. If you do need to leave, make sure you keep the heat low on the stove and return as soon as possible.
    • If you smoke cigarettes, first run water over them before you dump them into the trash. Keep the area clean of any dropped cigarettes; they can potentially start a fire.
    • When lighting candles, always have an adult do it and blow it out. Make sure you have candles that won’t fall and are contained in a fireproof holder. Always place candles away from children, pets and out of reach where it might fall and cause a fire.
    • Keep any flammable items such as chemicals, sprays, matches or lighters in a safe and secure place.

Residential & Commercial Security Systems Can Be A Huge Benefit

September 13th, 2011

Last year an estimated worth of $37.1 billion was accumulated in employee and shopper theft, supplier fraud and inventory mismanagement. The data was gathered by the nonprofit organization of the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. According to the Organization’s Director of Communications, Barbara Staib, she says, “Celebrities shoplift, organized gangs do it and ordinary folks do it.”

With that being said, more awareness and extra measures are being taken in order to reduce the amount of theft and burglary, as well as increasing child safety. In order to do so, more businesses and homeowners are investing in video surveillance systems that are not only necessary to catch the suspect on video, but also keep them away. Having a security surveillance can help deter criminals from your business and home. It’s similar to having your own dog in your backyard to keep trespassers away, they’ll be less likely to invade your home or business if you have some type of protection or security.  You can purchase surveillance cameras for a few hundreds dollars that are able to record and capture images for weeks on end.

Depending on your budget and the type of security surveillance you will need, there are couple things you should know before you purchase. Here are some tips and a few things you may need to know.

  • Each surveillance system stores different amounts of data depending on the frames per second, motion and resolution. It also depends on the capacity of the system and the amount of activity being recorded.
  • Most security systems come standard when wanting to recall a specific time and date of an event. It’s very easy to go back and see what went on during that time of day because the recorder usually has it stored in memory. Most systems allow your data to be stored into your existing computer or laptop to log in the activity and events. Nowadays even some systems allow for remote viewing, providing you the convenient ability to check the activity wherever you are through your smartphone.
  • The owner can typically install smaller surveillance systems. However, when purchasing larger surveillance systems with multiple cameras and additional high-tech accessories, it’s recommended that you have a licensed and professional electrician to install it for you.
  • The placement of cameras is very significant so that the person is being able to see the cameras. If you are a storeowner, you have to keep in mind the customer’s privacy. Cameras are not allowed in areas where privacy is required such as fitting rooms and restrooms. In order to keep people informed that there are cameras, typically stores will post a sign in front of their store, for example, “premises are being watched by the surveillance cameras.”
  • You’ve probably seen homes with a sign that says “Beware of Dog” on their fence to deter intruders and trespassers. You want that same authoritative statement and effect with your surveillance cameras. According to the Operations Manager of Advanced Technical Security Solutions, John Kass says, “Surveillance cameras that can bee seen provide a few minute of thought for anyone considering foul play in a home or place of business.”
  • Not only is having a security system in your home beneficial in keeping burglars away, but also for those who work in your home. Babysitters can have a peace of mind and become more relaxed knowing your home has surveillance cameras.  It can also make your workers become more responsible and dependable knowing that they are being monitored.
  • Other notable questions to ask yourself and to remember before purchasing your own system for a business or home is:
    • What will I be monitoring?
    • Will it be used for the home or for a business? Usually home security systems use between two to eight cameras around the perimeter of their property. For businesses, it might take up to 16 or more cameras.
    • How will I be monitoring my home or business? Some surveillance systems allow you to use your existing computer to store all the data either using a PC or MAC. Other systems even allow you to monitor your home from your own smartphone.
    • Which areas do I want to monitor the most? Make sure you utilize each camera to the fullest. (E.g. one for the backyard, front yard, side of the house, garage)
    • What are the camera capabilities? Some cameras are limited to how much depth they can monitor. Most feature pan and tilt capabilities to be used.
    • Do I need night vision cameras?

Source: http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201109?pg=24#pg24

Prison Inmate Shares Own Advice and Experience to Protect Against Burglary

July 8th, 2011

We encountered a very informative article that would benefit everyone, especially home and business owners.  What better way to learn how to protect your home than from the source? In Sullivan County, Tennessee, a person behind bars shares his own tricks of the trade against theft. This man knows and has experience breaking into homes and what burglars are looking for. He drops some knowledge on how to keep you and your family safe.

In Sullivan County, there have been an increased number of robberies and home burglaries. Especially in the state of the economy, it shouldn’t be a surprise if there is an increase of burglaries nationwide. The person sharing his own experience and tips is Bobby Akers. He is currently serving his time in the Sullivan County Jail after being arrested for burglary. Akers says, “I was just looking for anything I could use to sell.” His release is set in September and he plans on changing for the better this time around.

I know many people are always looking for ways to prevent theft and anything that will help them to protect their valuables. For once, we can step into the mind of a burglary. For Akers, his eyes are targeted towards the bedroom. “That’s where they would keep jewelry boxes, safes, money stuff like that,” he said. For him, grabbing anything he can get his hands on was the objective. He advises that homeowners shouldn’t keep their valuables in the most obvious spots like the bedroom. He recommends homeowners to hide their jewelry somewhere else than the bedroom and expensive medication other than in the bathroom cabinets.

More importantly, it’s always a good idea to invest in a security system to monitor your home. An even greater suggestion is to reveal and make it obvious that you do have a security system. Let people know that your home is protected by a security system just like how some homes have signs of “Beware of Dog.” Akers describes his experience saying, “I broke into this place one time and as I was going up to it. It said ‘security device alarmed’ and I did not mess with it. I left and walked away.”

A resident of Sullivan County, Don Lofgren, also shares some advice for protecting your home. As a retired police veteran, he’s definitely had experience with burglaries. He recommends keeping your home lit. “I have motion lights around the house,” Lofgren said. “If you walk around the lights on the landscape lights are on timers so they’re popping on and off at different times.”

In addition, Akers says it’s a good idea to invest in quality locks. There are a variety of locks out in the market and breaking open a lock isn’t hard to do. He says to make sure you get the best out there for better protection. Not only should you protect your home, but also lock up your sheds to keep all your equipment and tools secured.

If you plan on going on vacation or heading out of town, try to make it look like someone is home. Some tips are to cut off mail and newspaper deliveries. Keep your lights on timers so they go off at certain times during the day and night. Lofgren says, “I alert my neighbors to the fact that I’ll be away and neighbors watching neighbors is one of the best security systems you can have.”

Both Akers and Lofgren also mention that even having a dog is a great “bodyguard” for your home to deter thieves away while keeping your home protected. Akers says that if he ever hears a dog in the house, “I aint going to go around it.” You also see signs of neighborhood watch, which are also a great way to decrease the amount of burglaries.

These are great tips from both individuals who have experienced burglaries in different ways. One who is a burglar and one who prevents burglaries. These may seem like common sense ideas, but you’ll be surprised to how many people forget or don’t bother to protect their home.  These are valuable tips to protecting your home, as well as your business.

Source: http://www.wcyb.com/news/28479788/detail.html

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