Three women stole more than $41,000 in jewelry in a single afternoon, police say.
The thefts hit a SoHo boutique first, then two stores in Williamsburg within hours. The NYPD is asking the public to help identify the suspects.
What happened at catbird on centre street in SoHo
Police say the first theft started about 2 p.m. Monday at Catbird, a boutique on Centre Street in Manhattan’s SoHo.
Two of the women “engaged the female employee in conversation to create a distraction,” the NYPD said. Police say a third woman then took about $31,000 in jewelry from an unlocked case and fled.
The incident underscores a growing worry for small retailers that rely on open displays and hands-on service to make sales. For businesses built around trying on delicate pieces at the counter, closing cases can slow the pace of a shopping day.
How police say the williamsburg thefts unfolded
About four hours later, police say the same trio used the same tactic at another Catbird location on North 7th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The women allegedly stole about $7,000 in jewelry from a display case on the store’s countertop. Police say they fled east on North 7th Street.
Less than an hour after that, police say the women targeted a Gorjana store one block away on North 6th Street. Police say one suspect distracted an employee while another took about $3,500 from an unlocked case.
Gorjana is a nationwide chain that started in California, and it has expanded into high-rent retail corridors where foot traffic supports premium pricing. The NYPD said the suspects fled that last store “in an unknown direction.”
What the NYPD is asking for now
No one was hurt in any of the three thefts, police said. Officers described the suspects as “females with a light complexion.”
The NYPD is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted through the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers page or by direct message to @NYPDTips.
“engaged the female employee in conversation to create a distraction,” the NYPD said.
Why SoHo boutiques face special pressure from theft
SoHo’s jewelry and fashion shops often staff lightly on weekdays, especially during slower afternoon hours. That makes distraction tactics hard to spot, even for experienced workers.
Retail theft also lands differently in neighborhoods where rent and payroll already squeeze margins. On blocks where deals like Crosby Street property sales signal how expensive storefront space has become, even one incident can wipe out a day’s revenue.
Nearby businesses have faced other public-safety shocks in recent months. A separate incident left a worker injured when a security guard was slashed outside a SoHo store, highlighting how quickly routine retail shifts can turn into emergencies.
What stores can change without losing sales
Police say the jewelry in each case was unlocked, a detail that will likely shape how stores respond. Retailers can add simple steps, like keeping high-value pieces locked until a staffer brings them out.
Those changes can come with tradeoffs. Small brands often compete by offering a relaxed try-on experience, and hard barriers at the counter can feel like a different kind of store.
Outside New York, other cities have faced similar debates about retail safety and public space. Toronto officials recently issued a water safety advisory as weather pushed risks into public areas, a reminder that local alerts often depend on fast tips from residents.
The NYPD said all calls to Crime Stoppers are kept confidential, and detectives are still seeking names for the three suspects as the investigation continues this week.
Engaged the female employee in conversation to create a distraction.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) today.
