In this episode, retired agent James Page reviews his investigation of John Mark Collins, a former Florida sheriff’s deputy, and his accomplices in a jewelry store burglary ring and supermarket break-ins which took place in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The burglars would break into businesses and empty the contents of safes and display cases. The men were convicted of stealing $1.3 million in jewels and cash.
Jim, who was the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) coordinator for the state of North Carolina, also discusses WMD threats and reviews his duties and responsibilities.
Special Agent (Retired)
James Page
7/1998 – 7/2019
Retired agent Jim Page served in the FBI for 21 years. Prior to joining the Bureau, he was an officer in the United States Marine Corps and a helicopter pilot. During the first 18-years of his career, he worked White Collar Crime and Violent Crime but specialized in Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) cases out of the Charlotte Division’s Raleigh Resident Agency.
He was a firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, tactics instructor, and the primary WMD coordinator. He spent over 10 years on the SWAT team, the last two years as the Senior Team Leader. Later promoted to supervisory special agent (SSA) Jim was assigned to the Terrorist Screening Operations Unit at Liberty Crossing, handling all watch-listed encounters, whether traffic stops, border crossings, or flight manifests. He served as the first FBI advisor to the Commanding Officer of Special Operations Command North (SOCNorth) at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, CO.
After retiring from the FBI, Jim opened his own consulting company and traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to teach leadership and source validation. He also trained local police department SWAT teams on tactics in a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE) environment. For the last five years, he has been part of an elite team providing executive protection for high-net-worth individuals.
The following are links to news articles and case-related images about the jewelry store burglary ring and the Bureau’s Weapons of Mass Destruction program:
GoUpstate.com – 1/02/2002: Former Florida sheriff’s officer, two other men indicted in 1999 Spartanburg jewelry store heist Trio accused of stealing jewels across the South
Google Groups – 9/19/2002: Two convicted for part in burglary ring, Slick operation stole $6 million from Raleigh to Alabama
Sun Sentinel – 9/17/2002: Ex-Detective Found Guilty
Hernando Sun – 2/17/2026: Sentencing Date in “Master Jewel Thieves” Case Finally Set for March 26
FBI Website – What We Investigate – Weapons of Mass Destruction
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