'I've never seen the brazenness': Sheriff Baxter reacts to Dubai Jewelry robbery
Jan 08, 2025
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) - Monday night's robbery at Dubai Jewelry inside The Mall at Greece Ridge has sparked outrage among the community. Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter told News 8 on Wednesday that it was so outrageous, he's never seen anything quite like it.
Just before 7 p.m. on Monday, Greece Police said that eight suspects between the ages of 15 and 20 entered The Mall at Greece Ridge with the intent to rob the jewelry store near the food court. Two of the suspects stayed near the vestibule, while the other six used baseball bats to smash the display cases taking $90,000 worth of jewelry. All were wearing masks and gloves.
WATCH: $90,000 of jewelry stolen at Greece Ridge Mall
Sheriff Todd Baxter from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office saw the video Greece Police posted online of the incident.
"I've been doing this almost 40 years in Monroe County in different jurisdictions and I've never seen the brazenness," Sheriff Baxter said. "I've never seen groups of seven or eight people going into a mall and committing a grand larceny before everyone's eyes, as bold as can be."
He said he's worried about the crimes committed by youth.
"My fear as a sheriff is that we've let go in some of the criminal justice reforms and we now see this brazenness that we've never seen before," Sheriff Baxter said.
Sheriff Baxter said that incidents like these should prompt law enforcement to ask questions that address a bigger picture.
"Where are these kids coming from, who are their parents and why aren't they holding them accountable?" Sheriff Baxter said. "Why aren't we helping these parents if their kids are out of control and they can't do it alone? These are the conversations we need to have instead of just pointing fingers, we need to find out how to inform and how to enforce.”
Sheriff Baxter also emphasized the importance of partnerships between law enforcement agencies.
Police in Greece are still investigating the Dubai Jewelry robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call the Greece Police Department at (585) 865-9200 or call the GPD tip line at (585) 581-4016.