Ex-jewelry thief reveals the mindset behind smash-and-grabs and how to stop them

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Former jewelry thief gives the inside story on smash-and-grabs

Ex-con and former jewel thief Larry Lawton reveals what's inside the mind of thieves involved in smash-and-grabs on 'Watters' World.'

Former con man and jewelry thief Larry Lawton gave insight on what may be behind the rise in smash-and-grabs across the United States, and what can be done to prevent them Saturday on "Watters’ World," 

Lawton, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing roughly $12 million in diamonds and gold from jewelers at gunpoint, said the smash-and-grabs happening across the United States are organized and could be related to gang initiations. However, he said, they could be prevented. 

"I think it’s preventable by the police themselves. I think the police could be more proactive," Lawton told host Jesse Watters. 

"Listen, there’s a saying in prison: ‘Three can keep a secret if two are dead,’" he continued. "There’s so many of these guys doing it, there’s no way somebody’s not talking, even beforehand."

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Lawton also said smash-and-grab robberies are not out of the ordinary. However, the sheer number occurring nationwide is unusual, he observed.

In California, where many of these crimes are happening, Proposition 47 reduced the charge for theft of $950 or less from a felony to a misdemeanor, but Lawton did not believe this change is what caused the rise in crime, as others have suggested.

"There’s other states it’s at $200, and it’s still happening," he said. 

Rather, Lawton believed the rise in smash-and-grabs across the country is tied to criminals not fearing punishment.

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Lawton also said the push among many on the left to defund the police is misguided, and instead, they should be given extra funding to put toward intelligence.

"I think it’s more they [criminals] don’t care," he said. "They’re not scared of the system. The police are not proactive, and what I mean by that is they should have more intelligence. Forget defunding the police, we should give the police more money."