Baldwin Jewelers Takes Action in Response to Recent 'Distraction' Burglaries

After the of earlier this month and of in March, local businesses are responding with heightened security and vigilance. is one store in the process of increasing its security surveillance.

According to the owner of Baldwin Jewelers, who did not want his name disclosed, two women--described by owner of Eastwicke Village Susan Reib and Sierra Madre Police Department as “Gypsies”--made their way into Baldwin Jewelers to look around but quickly left on the same day of the Eastwicke Village burglary, which occured on April 6, although nothing was taken.

The two women--described by police as being in their 50s and wearing robes--distracted Reib and entered her home, which is connected to the business, and stole more than $18,000 of jewelry and art, police said.

The method of burglary is descirbed by police as "distraction burglarly" and involves distracting someone long enough to steal. In this case, one of the two women acted as if she was going to make a purchase, while the other one entered the door to Reib's residence.

Also using distraction as a method, a Caucasian woman in her 70's , police said.

An employee of Baldwin Jewelers, who also did not want her name disclosed, said that on the same day as the Eastwicke Village burglary, one man about 45 years old and one woman about 30 years old walked into the store, both at separate times, looking around, counting the items of jewelry, and walking out without a word. The employee was suspicious of their activities, although nothing was taken.

While Reib upgrades her security system, so is the owner of Baldwin Jewelers, who said that in addition to a better security system,  "being more alert and paying more attention" are simple ways of taking proactive measures against thefts.