Thieves steal jewelry from Trump Tower residents
NEW YORK — Two residents of Trump Tower in Manhattan reported the thefts of jewelry encrusted with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires from their apartments in the building where President Trump also lives, police said.
Investigators believe the jewelry, worth a total of about $353,000, was stolen from inside two apartments in the building where Trump has a penthouse triplex, and where the Trump Organization has offices, police said.
A police spokesman said investigators on the major case squad have not identified a suspect and are scrutinizing everyone with access to the building.
Reports of the thefts, first disclosed by the New York Post, come as Trump was expected to return to his namesake Fifth Avenue skyscraper Sunday for this week’s United Nations General Assembly.
A 67-year-old woman who lives on the 42nd floor told the police that five pieces worth $236,000 were stolen from a drawer in her apartment while she was away between June 21 and Sept. 9.
The jewels included a Harry Winston diamond bracelet. A ring, a necklace and a bracelet — all made of diamonds and sapphires — were also taken, along with a pair of diamond-and-emerald earrings, police said.
A 33-year-old woman also said her $117,000 Graff diamond bracelet was taken from her 59th-floor apartment after she left on vacation on Sept. 3. The woman, Isabelle Bscher, reported the bracelet stolen on Sept. 11, the day after she returned.
Even before the thefts were reported, security at and near the building was shifting into high gear in advance of Trump’s arrival in New York for the General Assembly.
Ashley Southall is a New York Times writer.