Ten Jewelry Stores Robbed in New Jersey

Masked thieves have targeted jewelry stores across New Jersey since the beginning of the year.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a heavy sledgehammer and glass shards, evoking the tension of recent organized retail crime. — Police are investigating a spree of ten smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies that have occurred across New Jersey since January 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ten smash-and-grab robberies have targeted jewelry stores throughout New Jersey since January 2026. The spree includes a recent theft at a Bloomingdale's in Hackensack, with no arrests currently made by police.

Why it matters

The robberies are driven by the rising value of precious metals, as thieves look to capitalize on the high price of gold. Stolen items are typically sold into the market, melted down, or shipped overseas.

Authorities have reported 10 smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies since January 2026 with zero suspects currently in custody. The ongoing investigations involve incidents across seven municipalities, including Hackensack and Edison.

The players

Bloomingdale's

This is a luxury department store chain that was recently targeted during a smash-and-grab incident in Hackensack.

The details

Multiple masked thieves execute these crimes by using sledgehammers to breach windows and doors. Once inside, the groups utilize stolen vehicles parked outside to make a rapid getaway.

Since January 2026, ten smash-and-grab robberies have occurred across New Jersey.
In September 2026, a robbery occurred at a Bloomingdale's in Hackensack.

Legal Context

These incidents reflect a broader regional surge in organized smash-and-grab activity targeting high-value commercial assets. Law enforcement is currently tracking these patterns against rising gold prices, which currently exceed 4,000 per ounce.

Local businesses and jewelry store owners may face increased security costs or the implementation of new safety protocols to mitigate smash-and-grab risks. Residents are encouraged to remain alert in shopping areas where these high-profile robberies have been concentrated.

The takeaway

The high value of gold acts as a primary incentive for these coordinated criminal groups to continue their spree. Property owners are advised to enhance physical barriers and alarm systems to deter smash-and-grab attempts.