A jewelry store situated in the Itapetininga shopping mall in São Paulo, Brazil, fell victim to a burglary that took place early on Friday, the 13th. According to reports from TV TEM, the thieves managed to gain entry through the ceiling, disabled the alarm system by cutting its wires, and obscured surveillance cameras with cloths to evade detection. The crime was discovered when employees arrived to open the store later in the afternoon, leading to immediate concerns over security protocols at the shopping mall.

In response to the incident, the management of the Itapê Shopping complex expressed their regret over the theft, confirming that they implement 24-hour access control in common areas, which includes the presence of security personnel and electronic monitoring conducted by an external company. However, they noted that the vigilance of individual stores, like the jewelry shop, is primarily the responsibility of the respective retailers. The details about the stolen items and the total financial loss have not yet been disclosed, as the investigation continues.

Local law enforcement, the Civil Police of Itapetininga, is now actively investigating the case. As of the latest updates, the suspects remain unidentified, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities in security measures at shopping centers in the region. This event highlights the ongoing challenges of crime in retail environments and the importance of reinforced security systems for businesses, especially those handling valuable merchandise like jewelry.