Sterling Jewelers Inc. submitted a letter of recommendation for Detective Lauria, stating that: "...Detective Victor C.M. Lauria clearly exhibited an exceptional level of leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and effort in coordinating and resolving his investigation in an extraordinarily short time frame."

The Crime

On March 19, 2003, a female manager of a jewellery store in Novi, Mich., was returning home with her husband and taken hostage by five armed gunmen. The hands and feet of the woman and her husband were tied. The suspects ransacked the home, taking a large amount of personal jewellery, and took their 22-year-old son hostage when he returned home later that evening.

The following morning, a single gunman forced the manager to the store where she was forced to disable the alarm system and open the vault. The large number of Rolex watches and large loose diamonds stolen from the vault were valued in excess of one million dollars. The manager's hands and feet were secured using cable ties and she was left in the store as the suspect fled.

The Investigation

A joint investigation by the City of Novi Police Department and the Genesse County Sheriff's Department began under Detective Victor C.M. Lauria. Under his leadership, the investigation was expanded to include the FBI, the Detroit Violent Crimes Task Force, the Detroit Police Department, Genesse County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police. Early information led investigators to one of the suspects, who was placed under surveillance. On March 26--only seven days after the robbery occurred--search warrants were executed against five houses in Detroit, Mich. In this search, a duffle bag was found containing $450,000 in merchandise stolen from the store.

Though Detective Lauria is no stranger to investigations of violent crimes, this case was particularly distinctive. "The scope of the investigation--five defendants, three kidnappings, a home invasion, a million-dollar robbery, and a wide variety of law enforcement agencies--made this case truly unique," he said. "Although I was selected to receive the award, this case could not have been solved without the teamwork, assistance and dedication of numerous other law enforcement officers."

The Result

All five suspects of the crime have been arrested and are facing felony criminal charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The manager and her family are relieved that the case has been solved and the jewellery store stands to see a significant financial recovery as a result of the investigation.

"Detective Victor C.M. Lauria and his team are an exceptional example of how today's law enforcement officers assist the retail community each day," said Tracy Mullin, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation. "Whether it's assisting a retailer with a shoplifting incident or helping recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost merchandise, America's law enforcement officers should be commended for their tireless work and frequent achievements combating retail-related crimes."

Detective Lauria is proud to represent the investigation and is honored to receive the award, but says the recognition was not expected. "When people get into police work they don't do it for ribbons or commendations or thanks," said Lauria. "People do it to help others out. I'm grateful that there are those in the business sector who truly appreciate the work we do on a daily basis."

More than 1,200 industry executives will attend the National Retail Federation's Loss Prevention Conference and Exhibition, June 3-6, 2003 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio to discuss everything from crisis response and business continuity to mall security and the Code Adam initiative. Additionally, NRF's conference is the only retail loss prevention conference that features an exhibition hall of more than 100 vendors showcasing the latest in loss prevention products and services.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the world's largest retail trade association with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF members represent an industry that encompasses more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments, employs more than 20 million people -- about 1 in 5 American workers -- and registered 2002 sales of $3.6 trillion. NRF's international members operate stores in more than 50 nations. In its role as the retail industry's umbrella group, NRF also represents 32 national and 50 state associations in the U.S. as well as 36 international associations representing retailers abroad.