Workshop to educate cops about organized jewel thefts

In two separate heists over the last three weeks, roughly a half-million dollars worth of gems have been swiped from jewelers traveling around South Florida. And with the Jewelers International Showcase -- the largest wholesale show in the state -- set to open on South Beach next Thursday, it's bound to get worse. Although these robberies may appear to just be random holdups, most are actually part of a semi-organized crime network known as South American Theft Groups, authorities say. And such crimes spike the month of major jewelry showcases. That's why a Fort Lauderdale-based nonprofit -- which helps detectives from different agencies communicate and share information -- is holding an eight-hour workshop Tuesday to help cops better understand the nature of the threat. ''That's it; the violent crews are here,'' said Robert... [read full story]