SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A man was convicted of stealing a $30,000 Rolex watch after following a couple from a Nashville jewelry store to a Hendersonville parking lot.
On Nov. 11, 2023, a married couple went to Genesis Diamonds in Nashville to have a Rolex watch appraised. After leaving the store, they drove to Sam’s Club in Hendersonville.
The couple left the Rolex inside a backpack in their vehicle while they shopped. When they came back, they found a shattered window and the backpack gone. The stolen items included the Rolex, valued at about $30,000, and other personal belongings.
Hendersonville Police investigated and found the couple had been targeted after visiting Genesis Diamonds. Surveillance footage from Sam’s Club showed a black Dodge Charger following the victims’ vehicle into the parking lot. After the couple went inside the store, someone got out of the Charger, walked quickly to the victims’ vehicle and returned moments later before the Charger left.
Detectives determined the crime was a form of organized theft known as “jugging.” Criminals watch customers leaving jewelry stores or banks, follow them to another location and then break into their vehicles or rob them to steal valuables.
On Nov. 15, 2023, detectives returned to Genesis Diamonds to review surveillance footage from Nov. 11. The footage showed the same black Dodge Charger that followed the victims parked outside the store while the victims were inside. After the couple left carrying the Rolex box, the Charger pulled out and followed them.
While reviewing the footage, Genesis Diamonds security personnel noticed a silver Lexus idling in the parking lot in the same area where the Charger had been four days earlier. Security alerted the detectives.
The detectives came up with a plan to test their suspicions. They walked out of the store with a large Genesis Diamonds jewelry box toward their undercover vehicle, talking loudly about an expensive jewelry purchase they supposedly just made.
As the detectives drove away, the silver Lexus pulled out behind them and followed them for about 22 miles from Nashville into Hendersonville. The detectives called for backup from marked patrol units.
Hendersonville Police stopped the silver Lexus on Rockland Road and identified the driver as Patrick Smith. They found a window punch, cut-resistant gloves, a homemade license plate concealment device and about $8,194 in cash inside the vehicle.
Detectives also took two cell phones from Smith. After both phones were investigated, analysis found photos of the stolen Rolex and other jewelry, text messages with photos of the Rolex, internet searches for Genesis Diamonds, Rolex watches, GT Chargers, jewelry stores, jewelry brokers and searches for “Nashville jugging news.”
Smith was found guilty of Theft of Property Over $10,000, Burglary of an Automobile and Possession of Burglary Tools following a three-day jury trial in Sumner County Criminal Court. Smith’s bond was revoked after the verdict and scheduled sentencing for August 24. Smith faces up to 15 years in prison.
