HOUSTON -- A major theft task force consisting of investigators from both the Houston Police Department and the FBI are focusing on some dangerous jewelry heists. They believe the suspects are from South America.

The latest incident happened at Box and Box Custom Jewelry on Rice Boulevard.

The salesperson, who lives in New York, kept his inventory in a safe inside the store overnight. Police believe he was probably followed from his hotel Thursday morning when he went to pick up his jewelry.

Surveillance video shows that in a matter of seconds, a white SUV with paper license plates pulled up.

At least three men jumped out and busted the driver’s side window of the victim’s car. They pushed the jewelry salesman out of the way to get his keys. They then opened up the trunk, slashed his tires and took off.

Police said those same men are suspected in a rash of similar burglaries a couple of years ago.

Hard work by the task force actually forced the suspects to take their act to cities like Atlanta. However, after a two-year hiatus, they appear to be back.

Thursday morning's heist was the eighth since February.

On Wednesday, a group beat and robbed a salesman in the parking lot of a hotel in Montgomery County.

In two of the robberies, the salespersons were stabbed. One of the stabbings occurred in a hotel parking lot on the Northwest Freeway.

As a result, investigators said they are focusing their attention on these types of dangerous robberies again, and they are already getting some leads.

One piece of stolen antique jewelry was found for sale on eBay. The person who advertised on the Web site lives in Plano.

So far, he has not been cooperating with Investigators.