Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the FBI are seeking the public’s help in apprehending masked men involved in four jewelry store robberies across three states, including two incidents in Bridgeview.
Last week, the FBI released surveillance footage from the robberies in Bridgeview and Dearborn, Michigan.
A reward of up to $15,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the FBI at 800-225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The robberies occurred on July 13, 2023, and Jan. 9, 2024, in Bridgeview; Aug. 7 in Dearborn; and Sept. 14 in Winchester, Missouri.
Last year on July 13, three armed men stole gold jewelry from display cases at Jawahir Jewelry, 8454 S. Harlem Ave., and took a handgun from a store employee. They fled in a white Kia Sorrento with stolen license plates.
On Jan. 9, three men, also armed, stole gold jewelry from Jerusalem Jewelry, 9070 S. Harlem Ave., escaping in the same white Kia Sorrento, but with different stolen plates.
In September, Bridgeview police arrested a Chicago Ridge man in connection with the two Bridgeview heists.
Emad Elayyan, 31, of the 10600 block of Major Avenue, was taken into custody at his home on Sept. 20. The arrest involved search and arrest warrants executed by Bridgeview police, the FBI, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Elayyan faces two counts of armed robbery with a firearm and is held in Cook County Jail. Elayyan is not believed to be connected to the out-of-state robberies, officials said. His next court date is Nov. 19 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
On Aug. 7, four armed men stole jewelry from Mariam Jewelry in Dearborn, fleeing in a black Mazda without plates.
On Sept. 14, four men stole several thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry from Dahab Jewelry in Winchester, driving away in a black vehicle with stolen Missouri plates.
Police describe the suspects as using an AR-style rifle, a handgun, and a hammer. They wore costume masks during the heists.
“Do not let the costume masks distract from the seriousness of these robberies. The individuals who committed these robberies terrorized and endangered the safety of customers and employees alike,” Raoul said. “I urge anyone who has information about these crimes to contact law enforcement without further delay.”
Authorities emphasize the importance of public assistance in identifying these suspects to prevent further violence. Callers can remain anonymous, and all information will be investigated.
“The perpetrators of these crimes showed a blatant disregard for public safety and the rule of law,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. “We’re asking for the public’s help to bring them to justice before someone is killed. Take a good look at the images we’ve released and contact us with tips.”
