Burglars strike Lambros Goldsmith in Annandale
Three men broke into Lambros Goldsmith in Annandale and stole $2 million worth of jewelry, reports store owner and award-winning jeweler Lambros Magiafas.
Surveillance video shows the suspects wearing masks and dressed in black using a hammer to break the glass door, smashing the display cases, and shoving jewelry into bags at about 5 a.m. on Sept. 28.
The store, at 7137C Little River Turnpike, features one-of-a-kind pendants, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings designed and made by Lambros in the workshop at the rear of his shop.
Lambros is disappointed in the inadequate police response. He heard about the burglary from his alarm company while he was at his other store in Alaska.
He immediately called the Mason District Police Station, which is just a couple of minutes away. “They said they were not responsible,” and that he should call the Franconia Police Station. “It took them over half an hour to get there,” he said.
The suspects’ car was found in southeast D.C. It was a stolen car with stolen tags. Other than that, Lambros has not gotten any follow-up from the police. “It’s like nothing happened.”
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Unlike other burglaries and similar crimes, the FCPD has not put out a press release seeking tips from the public.
A spokesperson from the Fairfax County Police Department told Annandale Today, “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Unit are actively investigating this incident, and the case remains ongoing.”
Lambros says insurance isn’t covering the loss of the jewelry. The only items covered were in the safe, which was not broken into.
He hopes the jewelry will be recovered. He’s been creating pieces for the past 40 years with previous stones and distinctive designs, often inspired by his native Greece. He plans to bring the inventory from the Alaska store, which closes in the winter, to Annandale.
Lambros appreciates the flowers sent by a friend with a note stating: “They stole your jewelry; they can’t steal your talent.”
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Lambros is an awesome guy and his jewelry remarkable. My family has been buying his custom-made pieces for many years. We are sickened and saddened by his loss.
There should be an investigation of the Mason District Police Department lack of response in this case. It’s criminal. We the taxpayers deserve better from those that are paid to serve and protect us. They don’t have any excuse.
Actually, the Mason Station does not cover that area. The FCPD District station boundary right there is 236. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gisapps/iplsmap/PoliceStationArea.html
236 in this area is the dividing line for the two FCPD District Stations, Mason serves the other side of the street. Here’s a link to the FCPD District Stations map
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gisapps/iplsmap/PoliceStationArea.html
How awful! Lambros has such talent and creativity and often features unusual gemstones. Unfortunately the people on the other side of 236 have a local police station at the Mason District Government Center but those of us on this side are served by the Franconia police 13 miles away in Springfield.
As bad as I feel for this guy, did he really leave 2 million dollars in uninsured jewelry out on his sales floor? How does that work?
That’s my thought. Why was the jewelry in the case overnight with just a cloth thrown over the cases? That’s careless and lazy. If it’s not insured in the cases overnight why would you take that risk? If the jewelry had been put away he’d still have it. Yes, I get there’s time involved after closing to put everything way, but isn’t it worth it? I bet it will be in the future.
A moronic response
I have worked in a jewelry store in the past and nothing was left in the display cases overnight, there’s more to this….
Lambros designed & created our wedding rings 35yrs ago. Through the years, we’ve purchased many fine pieces from him. Was saddened to read this. Hope they catch those crooks!
I am heartbroken for Lambros. His artistry is so lovely and enjoyed and treasured by many near and far.
Lambris’ jewelry is truly lovely and he is a genuinely sweet man. I feel so badly for him and hope they can recover the stolen jewelry.
Took 5 years of complaints and multiple near hits to get police to issue parking ticket on Heming near a school crosswalk. business owners and communities are being shaken down for policing – that’s the business model in places like India – can we please do better here in A’dale?
Too bad for this guy. Sounds like a fine fellow. But why the complaints about police from him and you commenters? You’re getting what you’ve voted for and what you’re spending my tax dollars on—free e-bikes, endless subsidized housing units, free this, free that but not police protection and response. Remember, I only have so much money to support you. You need to spend it wisely.
You are completely detached from reality. Please exit your Fox News echo chamber and touch some grass.
Splitting the Annandale CBD into 2 police districts is the issue that needs to be addressed. Faulting Lambros for the DC originating criminals is the wrong response. We are getting more cross border crime because criminals know property crimes are not being investigated or prosecuted in NOVA.