In a troubling recurrence of smash-and-grab crimes, a jewelry store in the south suburbs of Chicago has once again been targeted, prompting the owners to strengthen their security measures. Dream Jewelers in Calumet City is now investing heavily in enhanced protection after its latest burglary.
The store, which had already fortified its defenses with yellow security barriers, has recently added a new security door and is in the process of installing additional surveillance cameras. These measures are a response to a dramatic incident captured on August 16, where surveillance footage shows a car crashing through the store’s entrance. Four masked thieves then quickly ransacked the premises, escaping with approximately $40,000 worth of jewelry.
The burglary left extensive damage to the store, with repairs estimated to exceed $50,000. This isn’t the first time Dream Jewelers has faced such devastation; the store was previously looted during the civil unrest in 2020, following the death of George Floyd, reflecting a grim pattern of recurring attacks.
Joanna DeJesus, the store’s owner, expressed the ongoing struggle of managing such risks. “It’s difficult knowing that no matter how much we fortify our store, there is always a new method of armed robbery on the horizon,” she said. The recent crash left significant destruction, including the complete loss of the store’s vestibule, windows, door, and front showcases.
DeJesus lamented the broader impact of the burglary, stating, “We can’t be compensated for the days we are forced to close or for the time lost by our employees. As a minority-owned business, we face the same financial pressures as anyone else.”
In response, local police have increased patrols in the area, and the store’s owners are actively seeking to hire armed security personnel. As of Tuesday evening, the suspects remain at large, with law enforcement suggesting that the same group may have been responsible for other recent thefts in the region.
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