Bay Harbor Islands Couples Offer $70K Rewards For Return Of Their Jewelry
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BAY HARBOR ISLANDS(CBSMiami)---Two Bay Harbor Islands couples are offering rewards of $70,000 after they say thieves stole nearly $1 million worth of jewelry and valuable items from their condominiums.
Bay Harbor Islands Police Chief Sean Hemingway told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that they were victimized by some men who were part of a group of six criminals who have struck at least nine times in mostly high-end communities between northern Palm Beach county and Bay Harbor islands between December 1st of last year and March 15th.
Hemingway said some of the suspects were captured on surveillance tape from incidents on February 17th in Fort Lauderdale and on March 14th in Hillsboro Beach. Hemingway said 15 to 20 detectives were involved in this case.
"These rewards are unusual," he said, "but this is about helping two families get their lives back."
The two couples did not want their identities revealed. They say the thieves broke in to their condominiums. They also said they were not insured for their losses.
CLICK HERE to watch Peter D'Oench's report
One couple told D'Oench they were offering a $50,000 reward after $500,000 worth of jewelry and $15,000 in cash were stolen December 1st of last year when their safe was broken into.
"They are presents that we wanted to give our four kids," said one victim with her voice shaking and near tears. "That is why this is so important. We are offering this reward to get our items back."
Her husband who said he and his wife are natives of Germany and spend most of the year in Switzerland said, "That jewelry was presents for our sons and daughters. Please help us. Please call the police."
Another couple who did agree to show their faces for the interview is offering a $20,000 reward after they said $450,000 in jewelry and gold coins and their safe were stolen on March 15th.
"I am devastated," said one those victims. "This was history beyond the monetary loss. We were robbed of our future. I used to think our home was safe."
Her husband said, "This has put a stop to our lives. We are miserable. I feel violated. Now we don't feel safe."
For safety reasons, both couples did not want to disclose where they lived.
Chief Hemingway said anyone who can help should call his department at (305) 866-6242 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-tips(8477) OR Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477).
