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These criminals strike swiftly. Theyre usually armed and not afraid to shoot. Their favorite targets are jewelry stores and their couriers.Who are they? Organized jewel thieves from South American countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Theyre so well established weve given them a name: South American Theft Groups.Theyve been operating in the U.S. for more than 30 years; most members are here illegally.Groups are often made of immigrants from the same hometown, are tightknit, and are difficult to infiltrate.The crews are extremely mobile, moving from city to city and even country to country in search of new victims.They are highly skilled, with numerous methods for stealing highend jewelry. In Operation Cut and Run, for example, crews cut apart display cases and stole the contents in broad daylight.Breaking in. Groups initiate members by testing their skills in lowrisk and nonviolent crimes, like picking pockets and other petty theft, according to Special Agent Daniel X.McCaffrey, who works jewelry theft cases in our New York division. Once proven, novices can move up to become the getaway driver or lookout for bigger hauls and to the most soughtafter position as jewelry courier robber.

 

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