RM13 million worth of gold stolen in just 10 months

SHAH ALAM - At least six major robbery cases involving jewelry and gold bars, with losses amounting to RM13 million, have occurred over the past 10 months.

The latest incident happened on Saturday, when a masked man armed with a gun robbed a jewelry shop inside a supermarket in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Ironically, these robberies seemed to be increasing as global gold prices hit a record high of RM470 per gramme on March 21.

What was even more concerning was that most cases have been reported in supermarkets and well-known jewelry shops, particularly in the Klang Valley, posing a significant threat to the safety of visitors.

Moreover, the criminals often used similar methods, brandishing firearms and machetes to intimidate employees and the public.

Armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, these robbers were undeterred by the crowded areas where they committed their crimes.

Criminologist Dr Zalmizy Hussin said the recent surge in gold prices was one of the factors that could be driving the increase in jewelry shop robberies.

He explained that in criminology, this aligned with the "opportunity theory" which posited that crimes occured when there were motivations, easy targets and lack of security measures.

"When the value of gold increases, the ‘returns’ from robbery also rise. This makes jewelry shops highly attractive targets for criminals seeking quick, large profits.

"What’s alarming is the growing use of firearms and sharp weapons in recent robbery cases. This shows that criminals are becoming increasingly brazen and are willing to use violence to achieve their goals," he said.

Zalmizy added that one of the most crucial security measures is the installation of advanced safety systems, such as high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and alarm systems directly connected to the nearest police station.

He emphasised that modern security technology was no longer optional but a mandatory requirement for all jewelry shop owners.

"The design of the shop should also incorporate physical security features, including automated locking doors and bulletproof glass, to prevent easy access to jewelry," he said.