432: Larry Lawton | From Jewel Thief to Honorary Cop Part One

Jewelry Crime

Larry Lawton, a former jewel thief, discusses his deep knowledge of the jewelry trade, which he acquired to avoid being deceived by others in the criminal world. He explains how he paid $10,000 to the Gemological Institute of America to learn about diamonds and ensure he wasn't cheated. Larry emphasizes the importance of understanding the value and characteristics of jewelry to stay ahead in the criminal game 1.

When you're deviant of jewelry and you've got a million dollars of jewelry on a table, you want to know what it's worth besides some stupid tag that means nothing.

--- Larry Lawton

This knowledge helped him navigate the complexities of the jewelry crime world and avoid being scammed by other criminals.

   

Preventing Robberies

Larry Lawton provides valuable insights for business owners on how to prevent robberies. He explains that professional criminals like him would case hundreds of stores before choosing a target, looking for specific vulnerabilities. Larry advises business owners to implement simple yet effective measures such as double-way mirrors, offsite video monitoring signs, and avoiding display cases that block visibility from the street 2.

You want to prevent robberies, Jordan, you don't want to just catch them.

--- Larry Lawton

These precautions can deter criminals and make it significantly harder for them to execute a successful robbery.