A small gang has committed a series of “case cuttings” in jewelry stores since March 2003, says a Jewelers Security Alliance alert. Citing “numerous instances,” JSA says the suspects distract sales associates, quickly cut the silicone seal on showcase tops and lift the top to remove jewelry.

So far, the thefts have occurred along the East Coast, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia.

The suspects are believed to be part of one gang, though apparently not all participated in each incident. The JSA alert gives two descriptions of suspects involved. One group, it says, consisted of three Hispanic males, all 5 ft. to 5 ft., 2 in. tall, about 145 lbs., mid-30s, nicely dressed, and one Hispanic woman, with an “L” shaped scar on her forehead. She was 25 to 30 years old, about 5 ft. tall, weighed about 125 lbs, and had black or dark-brown shoulder-length hair. Another description refers to two Hispanic males and a Hispanic female in their mid-to-late 20s. All were casually dressed and were well-spoken but with “heavy accents.” The woman was described as thin, attractive, between 5 ft., 6 in. and 5 ft., 8 in., with dark hair, wearing tinted sunglasses and a hat. The males were stocky and muscular, 5 ft., 8 in. to 5 ft., 10 in., with dark hair. One of the males was usually on a cell phone.

For more information or to contact JSA, call (800) 537-0067 or (212) 687-0328, or visit www.jewelerssecurity.org.