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Police Suspect Miami Jewel Thieves In St. Pete Burglary

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON, The Tampa Tribune and ROD CHALLENGER News Channel 8

Published: December 13, 2007

Updated: 12/12/2007 11:56 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - Authorities are looking for a group of thieves responsible for a string of jewelry store break-ins throughout the Southeast, including one in St. Petersburg on Sunday that was captured on surveillance videotape.

In the burglary at Bond Diamonds, 2241 66th St. N., the front doors were smashed and four burglars ransacked jewelry cases, breaking glass and throwing jewelry into pillowcases.

The store's expensive pieces were locked in a vault, said Marvin Shavlan, the store owner. The thieves' loot consisted of an estimated 125 items ranging in value from $20 to $200 apiece, Shavlan said.

"I think the robbers were probably disappointed in their take because they got a minimal amount of merchandise," Shavlan said.

Authorities think the four are part of a large group that has committed similar burglaries from Maryland to Florida in the past few months. They also are suspected in a burglary in August at Ronay Jewelers on Beach Drive in St. Petersburg, said Sgt. Gary Dukeman of the St. Petersburg Police Department.

"We believe there is a group operating or based out of Miami, using rental cars, high-end rental cars, Mercedes, Infinitis, BMWs, and are traveling throughout the state of Florida as well as into some of the other Southern and Southeastern states," Dukeman said. "They seem to be working very well together."

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or

spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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