Officers Seize Stolen Gold From South Side Businesses

Milwaukee Police Department
Office of Media and Communications

Dec. 3 - The Milwaukee Police Department has seized approximately 1,200 pieces of jewelry, much of which investigators believe is stolen from four jewelry stores on Milwaukee’s south side.

A suspect alerted officers at District 2 to stores known to buy gold jewelry without asking any questions about the identity of the seller. City ordinances and state statutes require the stores to maintain certain records of these transactions, including identity of the seller, documentation of the sale, and a written declaration of ownership of the jewelry. In October, undercover officers sold jewelry to four stores in District 2. All of the stores violated the ordinance, so search warrants were obtained to check the records and inventories of the stores.

Officers from District 2 recently searched Reflections Jewelry at 1306 W. Forest Home, Cash N Gold at 1214 S. Cesar Chavez, John’s Jewelry at 1119 W. Mitchell, and Star Jewelry at 1212 W. Lincoln. The officers found approximately 1,200 pieces of jewelry that the four stores bought without following proper procedures. Police confiscated the jewelry, which is valued at over $75,000. Many of the items have been linked to burglaries and thefts in the Milwaukee area, and some of the items have already been returned to the victims.

Officers have issued 85 citations totaling over $41,000 to the four stores. The investigation continues to try to determine the identity of the suspect who sold the jewelry.

District 2 Captain Donald Gaglione commended his officers for developing the information and working to recover the stolen property. “When these stores don’t follow the rules they only encourage criminals to steal jewelry to make some quick cash,” Captain Gaglione said. “I hope that similar businesses will be more attentive to discourage criminal activity.”

Anyone who has recently lost jewelry in a burglary or theft may contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-235-6633 to make arrangements to view the jewelry. A completed police report, including descriptions of the stolen items, is required to claim any jewelry.